tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35223633916394550082024-03-13T12:14:46.162-07:00SCOTTISH SCRIBBLESJodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-79159246028155219242011-01-31T21:01:00.001-08:002011-01-31T22:35:34.237-08:00Up Helly-Aa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpRMkc9XjpIhfw-OlW8O58w3c9ftnRR0ltMxU0jqi-t_5C8h1UWd2jT1DqUqbCjk3uIewgYXiFfuDmDpl9tThnkXsiwpzsu_K3VKAFExQ3CZryOn_wRkj6DNtmLzm4fsJVVllfO3KaWfG/s1600/399px-UpHellyAa1%2528AnneBurgess%252930Jan1973.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpRMkc9XjpIhfw-OlW8O58w3c9ftnRR0ltMxU0jqi-t_5C8h1UWd2jT1DqUqbCjk3uIewgYXiFfuDmDpl9tThnkXsiwpzsu_K3VKAFExQ3CZryOn_wRkj6DNtmLzm4fsJVVllfO3KaWfG/s320/399px-UpHellyAa1%2528AnneBurgess%252930Jan1973.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568602525455469266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Jarl of the Up Helly-Aa Fire Festival on the Shetland Islands, Scotland </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This Nordic fire festival ( picture above) that takes place all over the Shetland Islands north of mainland Scotland in mid-winter which usually happens on the 30 January each year. It is believed to be THE largest fire festivall over Europe and represents the end of the Yule season. There is nothing "Scottish" festival with its origins in Nordic/Viking culture of the earliest inhabitants.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SsYiETH9khw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There is a committee who pick a "Jarl" or what the mainland calls an ear, complete with has his own squad. One of the more famous Jarls of Scotland was William St. Clair who built the famed Roslyn Chapel, mid-Lothian. The "Jarl" leads his company of "guizers" who are all dressed in Viking garb of old as both Orkney and Shetland carrying torches through the town toward a full Viking galley and are joined with other squads in other themes to march in the torchlight parade.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kdg-SGZ22pM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> In Lerwick which is the largest of the festivals, the galley is lit on fire to the cheers of the crowd. But in other areas on the islands the galley is lit and then set afloat in the traditional Viking burial custom. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uSLF3m4K71g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After the burning of the galley the squads of "guizers" visit all sorts of community locations and then go on to have a private parties to celebrate that winter is half way over. Each of the guizer squads choose different themes .which can be historical, ethnic c or cultural themes from modern pop culture. The following are some of the guizer squads... </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Britain's Go Talent </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/teFni-e9saA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Star Trek </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0jqVh1B-_FA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A great way to break up the dreary Scottish Winter. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Jody </span></span></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-21749073211945782212010-12-28T18:42:00.000-08:002010-12-28T22:37:48.362-08:00NEW YEARS DAY.. WISCONSIN STYLE!<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HAPPY “almost” NEW YEAR or in Scotland HAPPY HOGMANAY<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know this blog is supposed to deal with all things Scottish and I promise not to disappoint.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Despite the content of this posting I will show you there is a connection between the University of Wisconsin and Scotland… wait for it.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is an exciting week because our University of Wisconsin Badgers will be representing the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl football game on New Year’s Day. Though the Badgers are no strangers to post season bowl games, earning the right to participate in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2000 is exciting.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wisconsin has appeared 7 times at the Rose Bowl with a record of 3-4 with their last win in 2000 against Stanford. With a student body of about 49,000 students, the campus is the “premier” public university system in Wisconsin. As an alumnus of the university that is the ugly stepsister to this school, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin has never had to be designated by its city… Madison (or the People’s Republic of Madison).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The following is a bit of an introduction about University of Wisconsin that is known for so much more than just football. Their football program aside, they are a noted powerhouse in Hockey bringing home the national NCAA title; 6 years in the men’s program and three in the women; one year 2006 when both the men and women held the NCAA title with a brother and sister on each team respectively. They have also earned 8 NCAA titles in Boxing, 1 in Basketball, 7 in men and women’s Cross Country, 1 in men’s Soccer, and 1 in Track and Field.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The NFL has had hundreds of former Wisconsin students in their ranks as has the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and even Basketball. And if you take a look at the last two Olympic women's hockey teams from the US and Canada you will find many former and current players who are members of or were past menbers of Badger Hockey women hockey teams. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sSdFYxS2Rkg?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sSdFYxS2Rkg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes Wisconsin is nicknamed the “Alabama of the North” but having attended college in Alabama I can assure you that getting in to the University of Wisconsin is much more difficult. And like the excellent university it is has a lot of pride in the accomplishments and contributions of its alumni: (to name but a few)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11 Nobel Laureates</span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCnter_Blobel"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Günter Blobel</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, Ph.D. 1967, recipient of the </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Physiology_or_Medicine"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in 1999<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_G._MacDiarmid"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alan G. MacDiarmid</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, M.S. 1952, Ph.D. 1953, recipient of the </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Chemistry"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline: none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nobel Prize in Chemistry</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in 2000</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Actors/Entertainment:</span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Joan Cussack, actress <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">`Don Ameche, actor<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dale Chihuly, world class glass sculpturer<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rich Dahm, producer and head writer of Stephen Colbert</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ben Karlin co-creator of Stephen Colbert and John Stewart <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jane Kaczmarek, actress <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fredrick March, actor <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frank Lloyd Wright, architect <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">David Susskind, TV producer <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Boz Skaggs, musician <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other Notables:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Charles Lindberg, renowned pilot <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Laurel Clarke and James Lovell, astronauts <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lynne Cheney, former second lady (Dick Cheney also attended but didn’t complete his PH.d degree) <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carol Bartz, CEO of Yahoo <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Donald Goerke, inventor of Spagetti-Os. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Joyce Carol Oates, author and professor <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peter Straub, author<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of THE YEARLING ( side note my dad was reading this book when I was born and I was named for the male protagonist) <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Walt Bogdanich, editor NY Times <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Michael Feldman, NPR’s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Whad’Ya Know” <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Iajuddin Ahmed, former president of Bangladesh<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gaylord Nelson, former gov. of Wisconsin, US Senator but more importantly the founder of EARTH DAY!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lawrence Eagleburger, former US Secretary of State <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Howard Engle, physician in the landmark lawsuit against the Tobacco industry<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Russ Feingold, US Senator <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Herb Kohl, US Senator <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S.I. Hayakawa, former US Senator of California<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frank Anders, Medal of Honor recipient<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">John Atanasoff (Ph,d) inventor of electronic digital computer <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Michael Dhuey, co-inventor of Mackintosh II and the ipod!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">John Muir, naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club ( more on him in the next post as he is one of the Scottish connections) <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elroy “crazylegs” Hirsh, NFL football <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Harry Steenbeck, Vitamin D researcher <o:p></o:p></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Paul K. Link, UW alumni who as biochemist in his lab at the University of Wisconsin discovered the antiqoagulant WARFIN (by the way he spend time in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews. </span><o:p></o:p></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And then there is their world renowned Marching Band… <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nso1-vx3VZo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nso1-vx3VZo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now what is the Scottish connection</span></b>?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well while working on my latest project I have been researching the history of the Scottish Earl of Morton, who was Lord Dalkeith before he married a Stewart princess in 1458. As part of the research I have been looking at all the possible holdings that the Earl and subsequent family members may have had in Scotland. Well there was a Dalkeith Castle from the early 12th century held by the Graham clan and then in the 14</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century by the Douglas family of which James, Earl of Morton was a member. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou_uGaWKtnmXgpc2PDScHA_rMxny5Ly1Qn6p2m9iZfs_FiVKLRVa3XpD6yO5q9f-HuyQgSMVKDyT0PruUk0rynnvAE2QAvAbQ_BsE1FaSFWHX69qMsVKW5E-1XKAoXzAN29MuqXoTQiBs/s1600/Dalkeith1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou_uGaWKtnmXgpc2PDScHA_rMxny5Ly1Qn6p2m9iZfs_FiVKLRVa3XpD6yO5q9f-HuyQgSMVKDyT0PruUk0rynnvAE2QAvAbQ_BsE1FaSFWHX69qMsVKW5E-1XKAoXzAN29MuqXoTQiBs/s320/Dalkeith1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555983107728059426" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dalkeith castle as it may have looked like in 14th century </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1548 a new castle was built by the Regent Morton but was later sold to the Scott family (Duke of Buccleugh) who have had it ever since. The new castle is a palace that was built for grandeur and not defense. As the Buccleugh family has not lived in the palace since 1914, the palace has been used during WWII by Polish troops stationed in Scotland, and in the early 70’s and 80’s it was home to a computer company. However in 1985, Dalkeith Palace was leased to the University of Wisconsin’s study abroad program and has been home to about 80 students and staff per semester ever since. The program is in cooperation with the Scottish parliament where students work with members of the Scottish parliament as student interns. At the moment this is an undergraduate program, but I hope in the future it will be open to graduate students.</span></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPBHLKKVWlDCFvOFDyaolqGhpm6CB-qb8a3Rg6ipoaYqIci9uGn2jka-Hy59gvgxObpks2xcmLzYh_pp79UWs8X_sN_63mENd6EXxlrD-I8-ErEcV-9-jPnUvTkhsbkTFe29sNdMFgL2c/s1600/dalkeith_palace-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPBHLKKVWlDCFvOFDyaolqGhpm6CB-qb8a3Rg6ipoaYqIci9uGn2jka-Hy59gvgxObpks2xcmLzYh_pp79UWs8X_sN_63mENd6EXxlrD-I8-ErEcV-9-jPnUvTkhsbkTFe29sNdMFgL2c/s320/dalkeith_palace-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555982208230629346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dalkeith Palace today</span></span></div><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On Friday’s post I will be sharing the story of one of Wisconsin’s most notable alumni who began life in Scotland, naturalist John Muir.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-53069082923412985842010-12-21T11:40:00.000-08:002010-12-21T13:43:58.698-08:00HOLIDAYS ANTHOLOGIES<div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well with a few days until Christmas I know you are busy, some may be to the point of exhaustion. Boy am I glad those crazy days are gone for the moment. When my kids were little, Christmas took on mythic proportions. I was just happy to make it to the first day of their break after weeks of Christmas parties for all the activities they were in as well as the school concerts and church concerts. Having two children eight years apart meant one year I was at a Kindergarten music concert in the morning and a seventh grade music concert all in the afternoon. One of the things as a reader of romance I did to keep my sanity was to read when I could, but there was never enough time to sit down and read a whole book, so thank God for Christmas Anthologies. Just enough story to read while hiding in my bathroom in a soak before the hungry hoards came home from school or from hours of sledding or snowman building. The following are some of my favorites: Though keep in mind the covers may have changed with subsequent publishing years. I can’t say I have liked all of the stories in the books but even if you got one or two great feel good reads it was worth the price. Though some are now out in ebook formats, most can be found in a good used bookstore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first book is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A STOCKINGFUL OF JOY, which included stories from some of romance’s leading ladies: Jill Barnett, Mary Jo Putney Justine Dare and Susan King.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the book I pickup every year because of the King story (“Snow Rose”) not because it is set in Scotland but because it is just one of those “curl-your-toes-feel-good-this-time-of-year “kind of stories. That it continues from one of her earlier books</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE RAVEN’S WISH, makes it all the more enjoyable. Here is what is says on Amazon:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5X_Un2kSXk5B1LQoqUxUJ5Asciiyn0oayyUHDgPdmk79QggGSahmeNiu_UHL0fqws_mhG2nKYxSJzMDh4TORHZeMqDWOb4GyKs1wzgzaF1NNV00G1DpH-q4PsBReuTWLFN0bN_0KQ_Tv/s320/c9464.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553250047699854402" /></p> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Susan King's Snow Rose, set in 1573 in the rugged highlands of Scotland, tells the passionate story of Catriona MacDonald and Kenneth Fraser, prominent members of opposing clans. Catriona is in desperate need of help, and the snow rose--a cherished brooch given to seal a sacred pact made long ago by a Fraser family member--guarantees help from the Fraser family, or so Catriona believes. When the Frasers must regretfully deny Catriona her one wish, Kenneth Fraser swears to protect her, but he never dreamed he would lose his heart in the process." A total YUM read!!! </span></span></i><!--EndFragment--></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwP-mXzIk5uPZp1ftHjr5L2ZGxE23ZPEjVtemWYZ5uBe6hNvL4TyGZtpYDdBvbmNzZaKdP1iVv0CqAio6yhAD6Tiw8f8YdJcFdh0qKA0VyALvbHplOQ1kfVERqDcroMoRpiC8GRqnzhI8/s320/c8895.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553248264826560882" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next anthology is A GIFT OF LOVE includes such heavy hitters as Jude Deveraux and Judith MacNaught, but also Kimberly Cates, Andrea Kane and Judith O’Brien.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was the Kimberly Cates story “Gabriel’</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s Ang</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">el” that tore at my heart and I read this one each year. It is the tale of a kindness from a wealthy child to one the city's countless London waifs that kept the dream of kindness alive for 16 years for our heroine until the young girl had to grow up and put those dreams away or can she? I love this story. Other stories in the anthology include:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DOUBLE EXPOSURE (McNaught), JUST CURIOUS (Deveraux), YULETIDE TREASURE (Kane) and FIVE GOLD RINGS (O’brien).</span></span></div><div><div><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyuZ50GgWkhxbkMbRz3Zut2EunKkqjduB2snLy9Mvbj4yJfz-a6DpNuXGPKwki2Pg4BBjYt6NJr3C7VbbkiolN8Ki1xIuLTcYrxi-I_mB6PNwbbK5jbqzlcR65RN9EyfZ3clY3ngS3loK/s320/c9461.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553246796584275986" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next anthology has all of the books set in Scotland in different periods of time, again fr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">om some of the leading ladies of romance in that period in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A SEASON IN THE HIGHLANDS. The stories include :</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Jude Deveraux), FALL FROM GRACE (Jill Barnett- a revised version of a previous published story of same name)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">COLD FEET (Geralyn Dawson), THE MATCHMAKER (Pam Binder) and THE CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE (Patricia Cabot, and for those who don’t know this Meg Cabot/Jenny Carrol who writes all the Princess Diaries and YA books- yes she got her start in writing Romance).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had two favorites in this book, first the one by Jill Barnett, which was a revised with more filling of story from the Highland Fling anthology. The</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">story had me laughing at the ineptitude</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of the Grace and her band of misfits</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and comments from them like “Look I have nabbed a Mcnab.” Just plain fun the kind you want to relief the stress of the holiday. The second one liked was Pam Binder’s THE MATCHMAKER because it has contemporary opposites thrown back in time to Queen Mary of Scotland’s court.</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyNqFh1udhMLNtT_JykB52MvyhURP_krWbbmsUPQCnooEP5hr_-5SiYYIsQ27m0vBwB056xv_Ux98lH9Adkp7DcP47mwGKrtoidvAyWp2NGbpNHzdpFxVEEyvKol54yYWWo_4VpgzF2J6/s1600/c10237.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></a><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawlFHM9fUc6qoUcFMstDPKQ5pqDwx-5Jk6OL-hJ4qjlvfa05tv6ATSslLrNrrIHnQ_wDNUX7ZQAU8iTpB2Au1QLfAU9OmQWV068ylLl6RZ1_Fkvp6_ArIF9ban4qqzN52oO8kjus0MPf1/s320/c10237.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553245602067138162" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The final anthology I would mention, and believe there are so many more I could metion, are from two of Romance’s </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">se</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">nior leading ladies Judith McNaught and Jude Deveraux in</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SIMPLE GIFTS. Each author has two books: one an historical and one a contemporary.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The titles of the stories (that may have appeared in other published anthologies) include:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">JUST CURIOUS (historical) and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CHANGE OF HEART (contemporary) both by Jude Deveraux and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MIRACLES (historical) and DOUBLE EXPOSURE (contemporary) both by Judith McNaught.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of these four stories I especially enjoyed CHANGE OF HEART</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">because this stars a member of Deveraux’s signature family, the Montgomerys of Colorado. A 12-year-old geek of a boy match-makes his mother with a stern </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">powerful member of the fabled family, much to the delight of the rest of the Montgomery family. My other favorite is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MIRACLES by McNaught because it is the story of two of her favorite secondary characters, Nicki and Julianne Skeffington </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">from her Westmorland books. Though I wish she had given</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">this couple a longer story to enjoy.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And finally a little holiday cheer, I gave the socks the week off, enjoy…. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GSk8h1oG8nY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GSk8h1oG8nY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p> <!--EndFragment--></div></div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-16905171754063308822010-12-09T21:04:00.000-08:002010-12-10T00:14:02.047-08:00NonFiction Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsmrL9DBEeOA1GbjcU35QHw0q372ZAobUhyQYd139bmRRn04Uvby32B4UIEFpOBenuXsS5asrgwB0t5BIlzth7ytPpLo-zMg7vWmalFxtI_wvu028aZa3MvAbqAP98rNy_Pae7MQE78Q4/s1600/51VHkijVwdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsmrL9DBEeOA1GbjcU35QHw0q372ZAobUhyQYd139bmRRn04Uvby32B4UIEFpOBenuXsS5asrgwB0t5BIlzth7ytPpLo-zMg7vWmalFxtI_wvu028aZa3MvAbqAP98rNy_Pae7MQE78Q4/s320/51VHkijVwdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548960150644654658" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Unfortunately this week I have no new titles of romance books set in Scotland. Though this week Susan Fraser King’s QUEEN HEREAFTER was released. I first mentioned this book back in September. This is the story of Margaret, queen to King Malcolm III as she helps Scotland move from the Celtic church to one that will embrace the Roman church. She must navigate the intrigues of Malcolm’s court where there may be those who would be a happy for a return to the old Celtic ways. Though personally, Margaret is not one my favorite women in Scottish history there is no denying the influence she had on the country and the church. She was the wife of a king and the mother of three Scottish kings.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">QUEEN HEREAFTER is a book worth checking out, if only because the professional treatment that Ms King’s writing will provide.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Now with Christmas just around the corner and with so many of you writing books set in Scotland I wanted to continue my Scottish Books recommendations.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This posting will be for books on the language of the Scots. According to the Scottish Parliament website there are three official languages in Scotland: Scottish Gaelic (Gâidhlig), Scots and English.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/ScottishEnglish.html"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Scottish English</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> the language of formal communication and administration</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:-.5in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:11.0pt .5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><a href="http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/Scots.html"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Scot</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">s</span></span></span></span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">: a closely related language used or understood by the majority of the population<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-text-indent-alt:-.5in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:11.0pt .5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><a href="http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/ScottishGaelic.html"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Scottish Gaelic</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">: the Celtic language traditionally associated with the Highlands and Islands. Scottish Gaelic is closely related to Irish. Over the centuries it has been pushed further and further to the northwest and the Western Isles, but is now enjoying a revival with more support from the public, government, and education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Writers are always looking for good dictionaries of these languages to help enhance their dialogue. The following books are some I have in my own library and others are ones that have been recommended to me by my college instructors and fellow writers. Most can be found used or new from either Amazon/Amazon.uk or the Book Depository (free worldwide shipping) or found in your local large community or college library. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I am going to begin with the Scottish Gaelic because though it has the fewest speakers today in Scotland (about 60,000) it is the fastest growing language of learners.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Gaelic is the longest surviving language in Scotland and was once the language of most of Scotland but from the time of King Malcolm and the influence of Queen Margaret, the Saxons and Normans. Scottish Gaelic was quickly overtaken by Scots which is a Germanic language akin to English.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">With so many Scottish romances set in the Highlands, especially in the medieval period, the most burning language question on many of the writer’s loops is how to say something in Gaelic. Using online dictionaries are not always the safest because many site use the Irish and Scottish Gaelic interchangeably. Having a good reliable dictionary at your fingertips is a must for those who place their stories in the Highlands and Islands. I would recommend the following books, though some can be a bit pricey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LxB_eJuzevOCNvENLFm8VrtiLG68ZUAYMARCmqjYP_9FOEhczAvrqvJ93zQs1V7URMeVu1m5h9UDoVCbmPcq0DHse2y1L1yhgjHeMGrk6-gnBp-rNavft6BHKipIX9pxsTa819Hv3SSM/s320/9780415297615.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548959470269955298" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">THE GAELIC-ENGLISH DICTIONARY by Colin Mark</span></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A Scottish history professor recommended this dictionary as a comprehensive modern Gaelic dictionary, easy to use with good appendixes, modern phrases, and an uncluttered layout. The only draw back is the ticket price $65.82 (new) and $55.95 (used) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FG_LRjhzUIMthRiXCmGdyg86m1U5139lUJqulx9d6ye9XC_Bi9QZGNVhkE6-BL-FVa8PXpJrdQIV2uNk1ub5_hFoR-DKlPJcJGv0HN9ijVgEL7iwQhMzvonpPNpNZwMRGfnxWdvXC3mu/s1600/41K25E87T3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FG_LRjhzUIMthRiXCmGdyg86m1U5139lUJqulx9d6ye9XC_Bi9QZGNVhkE6-BL-FVa8PXpJrdQIV2uNk1ub5_hFoR-DKlPJcJGv0HN9ijVgEL7iwQhMzvonpPNpNZwMRGfnxWdvXC3mu/s320/41K25E87T3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548959233865878818" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">GAELIC-ENGLISH, ENGLISH-GAELIC DICTIONARY by Dougal Buchanan<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This dictionary in a paperback format is good for the student and traveler and would be ideal for the romance writer. It provides about 15,000 entries including common phrases. Though not as in depth as the previous one, which shows the origin and location for the word usage, it is not as expensive as the other book. This is one by the Hippocrene Practical Library who does a wonderful children’s picture book of English and Gaelic terms for common objects.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Price: $11.01 (new) and $8.28 (used) Amazon</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8lCoArwBlie06ODG4HFfiyZ66p0d6KbJ2-hpc2e6TmdA3c6JMUwwdzKM0naO1ho66HtC50cYv2DmwTxXje0d2x8f9tmLrvaw_FVpAamKZkPspIpR9-dRiv8XuvbH2fZ4Fd-nxO7ikhNV/s1600/41GZ0D6H2RL-1._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8lCoArwBlie06ODG4HFfiyZ66p0d6KbJ2-hpc2e6TmdA3c6JMUwwdzKM0naO1ho66HtC50cYv2DmwTxXje0d2x8f9tmLrvaw_FVpAamKZkPspIpR9-dRiv8XuvbH2fZ4Fd-nxO7ikhNV/s320/41GZ0D6H2RL-1._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548958921242454642" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">GAELIC-ENGLISH DICTIONARY- Angus Watson</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This dictionary also was recommended as a good Gaelic dictionary but it isn’t clear if one needs to know Gaelic to use it or if it has an English to Gaelic but apparently it has modern word usage as well. The good thing is that it is more practically priced at $30.40 (new) and $19.76 (used) Amazon <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Now the most common language, and yes it is a language, is Scots. Scots is the historic language of the Lowlands, Borders and now most of Scotland. The language has its origins in the Germanic languages of the Saxons but was influenced by the Brythonic language of the Britons of Strathclyde, the Cumbrian language, Norse, Gaelic and Norman French. Today it is the language of all of Scotland though it hasn’t been embraced as a written language, which is still English. Many people believe that Scots is just a dialect of English but the European Union has recognized it as a language. Many authors confuse Scots (kinnas and dinnas ) as being the language of the Highlands but historically this would not be correct. If you are writing a book set in Edinburgh or Glasgow or southern Scotland, as well as the north East (Aberdeen, Dundee, St. Andrews) they you want to use Scots. Rather than the easy and over done “kinnnas and dinnas” the following books will help you find the just the right words. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLuQ6eC4ymGbMP6GRQgZzC6WtyklD3uwsBDedWNDQzIFrE3GGXNwtM42JZ2NAsM0YTvFvkqC02nzMg0NeNKXCYkXBzbyB6mabC9SyRR_Fgqe71htTqxS3QG8-sX_D3c6dNRmPvCZ6o0xF/s320/9781902930039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548957989848854642" /> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">SCOTS THESAURUS by Scottish National Dictionary Association</span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I really like this book and use it often when I am looking for just the right word of all the books offered today I would put this at the top of my list of purchases. The book </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">is s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">et up in themes with English words as the lead with Scottish words for those entries. This is an easy book to use and should be in everyone’s library.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> $30.00 (new) and $5.85 (used) Amazon</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">THE CONCISE SCOTS DICTIONARY by Scottish National </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Dictionary Association</span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNlHrU9E2RbdvsUf6XPzzXU2KAj_CK31ARBd8F_2vVEw9zsC2pUvIMn52Qkv6ugsqMVx1CuLrAkCot3o-Ve07Nps9urWghuvrV-nY5K44QecrxdHzTyBeXI9PTG629LBjSKk17tCS4pvO/s320/ConciseDic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548957594618348802" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The role of the Scottish National Dictionary Association’s goal is to promote the use and understanding of the Scots language and has been doing so with dictionaries such as this one since the 70’s. The most current edition of this dictionary was published in 2000 but it is as useful now to the write despite it being 10 years old. The Concise Scots Dictionary contains meanings, spelling variants, pronunciation, information on when and where words are used, grammatical information, idioms and phrases, etymologies and details of Scottish life then and now. I have used this book in a number of my college classes through the University of Dundee, especially the class on paleography when trying to decipher documents from the 1500’s forward.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">$30 (Amazon new) and $1.00 (used ABE Books) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-IMfAoafnvAaoHv2DERKJqgJjpeZyf5Llb3hASts2vjWLa69ypZh9i9x2XW5tS4cbjzaFlh8CRkioLGbkcRnpFYjtHYi-ybw3tvoYyWFnEt33srbYpdSFVgvAiRfGUSWzRJJOI4E5jry/s320/9781902930046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548956501229883346" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">CONCI</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">SE </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ENGLISH-SCOTS AND DICTIONARY by Scottish National Dictionary Association</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Like the b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ook above this is an English to Scots dictionary but is much less detailed with about 15,000 entries. I have this book but if you can’t find the two above then this is a good third choice. Its layout is easy to use in al</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">phabetic format but not as detailed as the other ones. $24.00 (new Amazon-overpriced for what you get) and $5.50 (used Amazon).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqdRMNVohIbPAZ7diiJ8yiwtJBr42otxRMERmwMT4upYCwtdri_Hlbf9rMbhYnR3FD-yIJ8wcZBnOOL3eLya9jk1ure9PD2pzl5-xEOhFolTj6_TLOfiKvD12Og01ikYhKt89Yme_ig5t/s320/9781898218807.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548955928219271026" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And finally, for those of you writing stories set in the Northeast of Scotland the dialect of S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">cots unique to this area is called Doric. This book would be especially useful A DORIC DICTIONARY: Doric-E</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">nglish, English-Doric by Douglas Kynock. This book has a copyright of 2006 ( a reprint with an original of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1996)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ut is difficult to find. I found on copy at ABE books used for $9.26. The book is easy to use and looks as if it may have been a result of someone’s Master’s degree from Aberdeen.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">There is also the Scots/Irish language of Northern Ireland (Ulster) a result of the Scots/English </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">transportations/plantations of the 17</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> century. Unfortunately I have yet to find a definitive book on Ullans or Lallans as it is called. Any sugg</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">estions?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And now a bit of Christmas silliness, you know I couldn’t resist…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N4XfANpzBVw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N4XfANpzBVw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-56875294331032115872010-12-06T21:20:00.000-08:002010-12-07T06:41:36.756-08:00CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FOR THE SCOTTISH WRITER<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After finally taking the time to catalog my own Scottish research library I thought over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas I would share some of my favorite books that should appeal to those of you who are writing Scottish romances. I know the cost of books is getting more and more expensive but with this list of books I am going to touch on some themes that I have in the past been asked to research. For the most part the books listed are my books in my own library so if someone needs to know if a certain topic is covered I would be happy to check it for you. </span></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This first posting will include very basic books on Scottish history. But basic doesn’t mean simple or shallow. These books are the ones that I have used in my college classes. Some are scholarly and others read like popular history. But don’t be fooled they provide a great foundation for an understanding of the history and events that have changed Scotland from a Celtic nation, to a feudal kingship to a modern industrial nation. At least one of these books should be at the foundation of your Scottish research library. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0prgar2THpl8aAS7S81mbhsfUMlf3LUUYM9_6Ek23Nc8hnFYO1ZHLNcI64h0F9Bx6e9DwLmMkFJyGuhL1y1hPkmkRrdJw6WDupZZoUcD_DPMMpj34VXGOPF1WNdr7vFBX-GdRq4XKSn15/s1600/9780712698931.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0prgar2THpl8aAS7S81mbhsfUMlf3LUUYM9_6Ek23Nc8hnFYO1ZHLNcI64h0F9Bx6e9DwLmMkFJyGuhL1y1hPkmkRrdJw6WDupZZoUcD_DPMMpj34VXGOPF1WNdr7vFBX-GdRq4XKSn15/s320/9780712698931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547846866673464818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND: A NEW HISTORY by Michael Lynch</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This book was written in 1992 but the information is timeless. It includes 25 chapters starting with the Picts and moves up through the centuries defining the Scottish identity by exploring the historical, cultural and political events. The book is easy to read and can be used as a research book, using only the chapters of most interest. Mr Lynch has also has a companion book called </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE OXFORD COMPANION TO SCOTTISH HISTORY</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Though it doesn’t’ read like a dictionary it is more theme oriented rather than linear history and is a nice companion to his other book.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cost: New about $16.00 used: $1.17 (Amazon) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy590mD_sUy3BeoVwqsVO1PCP_sYP17NIbq8PVuiYg4MXpOg377O2fc64_zxJxK0VszWgFH_uUQRWTwJOxqNt1G95QVvPqEvPhS6Htixls8o61ZLq_YGlIurNEJkfRAkuxSJzKrr2ZUuL7/s320/9780006531913.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547846536724780642" /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND: THE STORY OF A NATION by Magnus Magnusson</span></span></i></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Magnusson’s approach is to tell the story of Scotland by answering the question…”What does it mean to be Scots?” His is not a pure scholarly approach thought he does provide the reader sources, he is looking at themes and events most heroic and warfare history. His book is easy to read and will provide enough excitement for the reader to seek out more in depth research. I especially like the chapter on the REAL MacBeth. He </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">provides the reader with a Scottish king who suffered character assassination from Shakespeare that many a Scot doesn’teven know that Macbeth was probably their last Celtic King. He reigned successfully for 17 years on the cusp of the feudal age in Scotland. Cost: $15.30 new and $5.00 used (Amazon)</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSTVSO32N1W3XqL0g0nEDDRKsSyWjG2QcutcLCBXSCdUqISZHGS8H7GhjfvuePkLq70vJ3x-1getruzZRxQK39eUE6F0XzKyxuh_QbXFkvBqDccIJp4VjXDp_aIIIsf2YFvRpZ3aNuCzU/s320/0198206151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547845337097926786" /><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND: A HISTORY by Jenny Wormald</span></span></i></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This was the text used in a recent class on Scotland at my local university. I found the book to rather boring to read, though I already had a pretty good foundation in the basic history of Scotland. The book is a series of thematic articles from Scottish scholars and though it provides a overview of Scottish themes it falls far from the in depth history from either of the ones previously mentioned. Though there are those who find it a useful source to start your Scottish studies. I can’t agree but I offer it here to provide choice. Cost: New $19.95 (amazon) used; $3.97 (abe) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRij5VW7p4tCBcYPu4YxbxrJkcKATt-hv-HQZKZjkz85xlQgWRePcANnciFKCmRfkKH-M_uD0jHyZ7Xlc5VbZ5ffNx3ntkf3vAHyQVGFoS9RjFORUo7fkVTnM_f4h3yJOxsanQOEHSPmb/s1600/9780750929776.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRij5VW7p4tCBcYPu4YxbxrJkcKATt-hv-HQZKZjkz85xlQgWRePcANnciFKCmRfkKH-M_uD0jHyZ7Xlc5VbZ5ffNx3ntkf3vAHyQVGFoS9RjFORUo7fkVTnM_f4h3yJOxsanQOEHSPmb/s320/9780750929776.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547844898242403314" /></a><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND; KINGSHIP AND NATION by Alan Macquarrie</span></span></i></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don’t be fooled by the title though the purpose of the book is Medieval Scotland the author provides a really good overview of the history from the times of the Roman invaders, the early people (Picts, Britons, Angles and Scots) as well as early Christianity and the Viking invasions before he even gets to the history of the 10</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century and forward. What I like is that he provides sources that can be check for the serious researcher but the book is written in a way that is not overly scholarly.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Throughout the book he keeps the people, the monarchy and the church at the forefront of the history he is telling the reader. For the many medieval storytellers this is a must book. Cost: New $29.97 and used $23.04. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pT-aq9DRvC30FtmbXm-QMpjJP5Xd3wVGoVAa9RikdGepOYHFbllin-FpY8-5Z1i9daflUXgmOPIF8Ggqj6sQacLdEYSZ5EjqFHmLhayUXgy_1vg8RD8ecif2TT8vLhGFvRs2cXmFS_F1/s320/51VBHq-x3FL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547844513580775122" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another book you might consider on Scottish history is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A HISTORY OF SCOTLAND </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">by Scottish archaeologist</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Neil Oliver who also produced the 10 disk DVD series for Scottish TV of the same title. Though books make better sources for information this DVD series by Oliver would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s library. The visuals in the video are sometimes a bit too dramatic and there are large chunks of Scottish history missing but what is shown is well researched and the audience will be captivated if only with the scenery, which is to die for. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbi1ofquyrB-J1KBe9PFxG3Bq8BEHt1KyymD7NMBpl2P0zVsQBoO1OD8UnZia1vAR7ZALlIkNb0wlrRI0C3xXuWWSQr6cMLk8IJTswsgl24fCqPNTBsPPfYfQYUxc9_RD993aSEWj08DG/s1600/51O71PZRzUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbi1ofquyrB-J1KBe9PFxG3Bq8BEHt1KyymD7NMBpl2P0zVsQBoO1OD8UnZia1vAR7ZALlIkNb0wlrRI0C3xXuWWSQr6cMLk8IJTswsgl24fCqPNTBsPPfYfQYUxc9_RD993aSEWj08DG/s320/51O71PZRzUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547843462158936834" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another book worth looking at if you like history told through the eyes of those who lived during an event or period, you might enjoy a new book recently published… </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND: THE AUTHOBIOGRAPHY 2,000 YEARS OF SCOTTISH HISTORY BY THOSE WHO SAW IT HAPPEN by Rosemary Goring. </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I like about the book is you can start anywhere in the book by choosing a period and get a first hand account of an event in that period. Though not a traditional history book, this is the type of book that prods the muse into going in new directions with characters who reflect the events told by primary sources.</span></span></div><div> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other books often found in a writer's library of Scottish history books include the following, but given their copyright</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">dates may be outdated. This is because Scottish studies have seen, in recent years, a resurgence in active scholarship. In large part because of the increase in Scottish Nationalism: many see themselves first as Scots and then as British.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A HISTORY OF SCOTLAND by J D Mackie (1984) <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND: A CONCISE HISTORY by Fitzroy Maclean (2000) <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SCOTLAND by John Prebble (1984) <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE BIRLINN COMPANION TO SCOTTISH HISTORY by Ian Donnachie, George Hewitt (2007)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next posting will include books on the different Scottish languages. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Your Christmas treat from the PNW: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><!--EndFragment--></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OCTOJK1pVyM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OCTOJK1pVyM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-84013678912815880842010-12-03T00:59:00.000-08:002010-12-03T02:12:02.813-08:00~~~FICTION FRIDAY~~~<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wow just think it is only 22 days until Christmas, have you gotten your shopping done?</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not me; not even close. Though it</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">doesn’t help we have birthdays this month either. But for those of you looking for great stocking stuffers for your reading friends the following are new titles set in Scotland this month. Not as many as I had hoped but understand unless the book is a hardcover, mass market titles kind of get lost in the shuffle. But now you know what you can spend your bookstore gift certificates on.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSop3XxnYxbzhCiE9nbYRFsGPofnMbQ5Bu1D7oXqbfv1E9FzXhljfzPNAN5kSOsIsO70frt9eiZNksIOn1k8Z1qSN6PyDc3Q-Hb2V71RA5qKZiuaW6mcQJ7PHkMue21zf83uQAKUcxAMZ/s320/n350379.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546382611620714610" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HIGHLAND PROTECTOR by Hannah Howell (NOW)</span></b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally Ms. Howell has gifted readers with another installment of her popular Murray Family. Here we have the story of Ilsabeth Murray Armstrong who is framed for the murder of one of the King’s men and it is Sir Simon Innes whose heart won’t be swayed by a mere woman that must save her from a fate that is not of her making. That is if she can prove it beyond the touch her effect has on Sir Simon. Other books in the series include: HIGHLAND DESTINY (1998), HIGHLAND HONOR (1999), HIGHLAND PROMISE (1999), HIGHLAND VOW (2002), HIGHLAND KNIGHT (2001), HIGHLAND BRIDE (2002), HIGHLAND ANGEL (2003), HIGHLAND BARBARIAN (2006), HIGHLAND SAVAGES (2007) AND HIGHLAND WOLF (2007).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Though it is important to note that all the b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">oks in the series are clearly stand alone books and can be read out of order. Though Ms Howell has done a great job of getting her backlist out in ebook format recently so check sites like Smashwords and the online bookstores for ebook formats.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE RANGER by Monica McCarty December 28</span></b></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></b></span></sup></p><div> <img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2BBne7SqgcjRujtUxVbiJDrMpgqpZacJIMfA6YNpRCbZXALzwm9S6KXww4YjDW_NDpVOL8vv16TfiD-JvZGjMnJxi4pOUavlS2YVpH1pZn_Hb5VUe1wZGuqXavJ41BW3vNoZ1eJJMeqv/s320/51vz-uFuSFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546382122219146898" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Author Monica McCarty has the third book out in her Highland Guardian series which to me reads like “Medieval Navy Seals” with each member of the Guard having a particular skill. For me I have a lot of trouble suspending the known Scottish history of the period knowing that Bruce’s closest confidents were lowlanders like Sir James Douglas as well as the St. Clair family and wasn’t it a Highlander Lord Ross who allowed the Bruce women to be taken by the English? . Though Ms McCarty’s books are always well written, if you love the period of the war of Scottish Independence</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you should try this series. The other books in the series include: THE CHIEF (Book I) and THE HAWK (Book 2).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ms McCarty has two other trilogies set in Scotland that are well written and should be read by serious Scottish historical enthusiasts. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI39QhCrCM-YtkoShwaIV8lpO73OeHo05lU29nTZBRdNnGBIBN8ST-q9yGe3ZQc33zUFw6YCNdMDX70Ew5fqIHu6X_jeoWCcsvGlhYcZzUGEnH9-kmj958TDGYh24khf-_wYbjxHetTZ2/s320/51ccWiXPSRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546381533187541970" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE SCENT OF JASMINE by Jude Deveraux (December 28</span></b></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th)</span></b></span></sup></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ms Deveraux’s new book is set in the American south, Charleston 1799 and our heroine is southern gentlewoman Catherine (Cay) Harcourt who has been asked by her godfather to attend a ball and on the way take a packhorse laden with goods for an old friends son. That son just happens to be Alexander McDowell, a Scot who is a fugitive. When Alexander’s captors get too close he has to escape and takes Cay with him on the adventure of her lifetime while they flee to the everglades of Florida. Dare she believe his innocence when she learns he is accused of killing his wife?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is nice to see Ms Deveraux returning to her historical roots.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now for a bit of holiday whimsy </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uPMDoKpgKGA?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uPMDoKpgKGA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The following are some books to look for in the New Year:</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs3VbO27A2u1Gyf4E6ull_JqWAs2ud2SYx4ADzRa05jcD-9cZkU_ZHN94hD8zVZMIRoEUbhP9yjQ-GGW8dSiuOd3q7QLksDB5sYoDuN9oL7D4_rFLaaX10L88S9pop-Y_E6aZH-dmG4Kf/s320/515yN1aDbjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546381024134315250" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL by Sue-Ellen Welfonder</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> (</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">January 3)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a new series by Ms. Welfonder with the premise that three knights promise to ensure their clan is the surviving clan of the three who the king has determined must fight to claim the glen of Many Legends.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you haven’t read Ms Welfonder’s books and she has an extensive back list, this would be a great series to start with. This first book is the story of James Cameron and Catriona MacDonald. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYARJW-VR519UbEg8_SnJOP4a4SNCHNPUZOtJ2bYB0EOAByPFyz75tNygnqfSX-C1KAG2paIl9uBm59kbKF3daei2LigupgnbQRwOnoWDOI7h2DisSOypLkSbG-v_cocOrvPVVfVUE-mO5/s320/51GZ92hMmaL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546380479431915586" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HIGHLAND MASTER by Amand</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a S</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">cott (January 28</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> ) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a new series called the Scottish Knights and after the last series set in the Borders, M</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s Scott has returned to the Highlands with a story of conflict between a Mackintosh lass and a Cameron and a ne</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ed for vengance. I have been looking forward to this new series.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYpthVQQzfkyuFsq39_F6kT7WqEOTz5oDckZFLmg9HzVYh9TUqmSd1t1tgogUS3fP0qEoUXTZZIkooyASw0hXCbGs5d4qYn6I5K97Tftd-wBJ2AbjWP0ZZh45NOn438Rs3yqaGkVxa6SX/s320/51o-M1VZ4OL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546379501002226882" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE IRISH PRINCESS by Karen Harper (Feb 1)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Ms Harper’s books are not usually romances</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but often are historical fiction with romantic elements. Though this book is not a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scottish historical, it takes place in the court of Henry 8</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and the female protagonist is an Irish princess, Elizabeth Fitzgerald (of Irish and English ancestry)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">who seeks the protection of the English court where she secretly plans to avenge her father, the Earl of Kildare.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Devil’s Own by Veronica Wolf</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(March 1) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">–</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">his offering by Ms Wolf is the second book in her MacAlpin series, the first being DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER out this past August.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbWcGQuY90v7WCJnnKF2wusx-h9Uy0weYLnIzmPLahFOr1cd9FwVRuwsfwLqL0FPD8OokO1EaaJwKqMWj9w56ansTrof4rxXnBJRAy4jdKB4h5fuuu-64UWyLuGvo0XBa0phzOYPB8NcY/s320/51DsGr4I7EL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546378755075660082" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fmYXfyNdBsXpiMefdr8zT-gpNlug36vyZn27PcXwynIouHGn_5ndTyv6T3oDjTKWHyygYSCH91bTSxdP6ospralKN28FPfK9qUJiy7V9_10oXhwrUUWL_Z5XyhVqA5DlJyrojGf4Qvhx/s320/51%252B7J4vpNCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546378417657777762" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HER SCOTTISH GROOM by</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ann Stephens (March 1</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">)-</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She has an excerpt of the book at</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://annstephensromance.wordpress.com/excerpts/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://annstephensromance.wordpress.com/excerpts/</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok I couldn’t resist…. I promise no more until maybe Hogmanay…</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J29KcUNSowY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J29KcUNSowY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-26084051678411331392010-11-26T00:30:00.000-08:002010-11-26T01:06:11.091-08:00ST ANDREW'S DAY- NOVEMBER 30TH<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">St Andrew’s Day- November 30</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, Scotland’s National Day!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Who was St Andrew’s?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNnT8VxVa_A6yf0Rihay09KRKqBFSTedC6VF43CSJD5Lrw7jMtQTbraTR249ZuiSS0BcBxiULx0uWFdM1PBv4jZuqqoMwgUciVwHRl4OWDrYHmVM_8tr-WV4K_JAW-WeLen6hFRTWn4l6/s320/220px-Martyrdom_of_andrew.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543774300602366274" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In Scotland it is a day of celebration with tradtion</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">al food, music, pipes, whisky and dancing. In recent years it was a day to renew the Scottish nationalists' desire for Scottish independence from the British crown in London. Though Scotland has had its own parliament since 1997, for many Scots this is not enough and their unique Scottish patriotism emerges on this holiday like no other day in the year. Especially when they look out over Edinburgh castle and find it is the only place in Edinburgh on St Andrew's that doesn't fly the Scottish Saltire which is common on all Scottish and British buildings in Scotland on this day. The reason being that the castle though let by Historic Scotland, is still a military base and is required to fly the British flag. In past there have been torchlight parades from the Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle with many a blue/white Saltire faced Scot. The iconic bl</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ue and white cross flag of Scotland is thought to be one of the oldest known in the world as it dates back to the 12</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> century.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> The following is a delightful video that tells the story much better than I could:.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 26, 197); font-family:Arial;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EhM6V9k3P84?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EhM6V9k3P84?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">St Andrew’s Day marks the beginning of Advent, and like our own Thanksgiving holiday in the States, it kicks off the Christmas holiday season. For all the unwed lassies at midnight on November 29</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> they would pray to St Andrew for a husband but to help it along they would take their shoe and toss it at the door. If the toe of the shoe was facing the door then they would marry within the year and leave their parents home. There are similar customs in Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, and Germany that have to do with women finding husbands on this day as well. Not sure I see the connection to marriage and St Andrew but there it is. However not only does it kick off the Christmas holiday season but ...</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5IiXfLZkTofgxJGtmNOFL8EA9h04KXnIIxNpyZr-7HXguVdCDxEbXL2Mk0TP8iasGyQQC1FSP8qn9yzXBkSNqdqZwQ7ECwoMPfQLY3kQsetXKFon5YcAYeadUicTC1HETkCQ51Jl_-lQ/s1600/masthead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 53px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5IiXfLZkTofgxJGtmNOFL8EA9h04KXnIIxNpyZr-7HXguVdCDxEbXL2Mk0TP8iasGyQQC1FSP8qn9yzXBkSNqdqZwQ7ECwoMPfQLY3kQsetXKFon5YcAYeadUicTC1HETkCQ51Jl_-lQ/s320/masthead.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543773599779954914" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">November 30 is also the beginning of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">HAGGIS hunting seaso</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">n in Scotland, which lasts until January 25, Burn’s Night. Yes I am talking about that elusive creature which is related to his American cousin the snipe. He can be found all over Scotland from Gretna Green at the Borders, to the castle in Edinburgh, as well as George Square in Glasgow. He and his brethren have been known to visit Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands as well as Belushi’s Bar in Edinburgh and often travels the cobblestone street near St Gilles scaring the tourists. He has also taken a liking to the home country’s most famous home brew and can occasionally be spotted on Islay at the Bruichladdich Whisky distillery. And who can blame him.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Though his natural habitat is in the heather covered moors found throughout Scotland, he has recently taken a liking for the tidy open spaces known as golf courses at St Andrew’s as well as Geneagles.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">He has even occasionally been spotted on the streets of New York City in Times Square wondering what all the colonials are doing.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(32, 72, 168); font-family:Helvetica;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BrNLm0w0mDs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BrNLm0w0mDs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now you can join in the fun thanks to THE SCOTSMAN newspaper. You must register first before you can join in the fun at </span><a href="http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> / It is simple and easy to do so the whole family can join in the fun.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">You have only four days before the hunt begins and the prizes include a grand prize of a two day stay at the luxury hotel at Gleneagles, plus fantastic calendar and weekly prizes.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Join today and you might even catch the elusive Golden Haggis. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Happy Hunting!!! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jody</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-84032737290694479972010-11-19T12:21:00.000-08:002010-11-19T13:45:53.876-08:00FICTION FRIDAY~~~<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This week I decided to look to some of my old favorites romances. I know it is cliché to say that no one is writing romances like they used and to a large degree that is true. Whether you are an old seasoned reader like me, or a newcomer to romance, we all have our own expectations. What makes these four authors favorites with me is because of they each had at least one unique storyline that had that something special when they were written. Most of them were part of series whether they were the first, middle or the end book in a series, even if that series went outside of Scotland in subsequent books. And of course these books are all historicals, though their author might write both historicals and contemporaries.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The authors I am featuring this week are Constance O’Banyon, Judith McNaught, Virginia Henley and Julie Garwood. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-7fI8GhW3SWHiDX0D1nFAJZCHiI1Dz14Qx4HEbu5aTjxiMDBE1FkVeyz6Yj-iGfeG7VEWc-I9nV_4B5D4kvCONzGNKPchxoT7omKQirgT-hQYlY_WLPGq5OanG6vl4R8zVUd0badkwg9/s320/n111131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541378362153176706" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Many romance readers are unfamiliar with Texas native, CONSTANCE O’BANYON who began her writing career in 1982 with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ecstasy’s Promise </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and published her 41st book with </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wolf Runner</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, this past July. She has also published 44 books and had a number of nouvella’s published plus over the years. Many of her books are set in Texas with cowboy and Indian heroes as well as storylines set in the deserts of Africa. But for me the series I love most is her deWinter series. The first book is </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Song of the Nightingale (1992) in </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">which she introduced the readers to the deWinter family. A scene in the beginning sets the stage for the rest of the book that is so sweet it has a major “aww” factor. The second book is </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Highland Love Song, </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">telling the story of the deWinter’s niece Arrian (1993) in Scotland , and finally The Desert Song (1994) telling the story of the deWinter son Michael. These books are full-bodied with interesting plot twists and turns and a cut above a lot of historicals offered today.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style:normal"></span><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IbflkXa9CXfcE231RHKT6i8qDyhIDosWwH0qsjy3oqPwFovgqRemMHBxytED3d5EPTGg6PeNKDNrFmEQ_EKnXPw62feopdgi7elDPUaviaE5eUjxUGlX9HQeE8I4TW-Ge8_mG8BPU-Th/s320/n82710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541374461174604258" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The next authoris English-born Canadian VIRGINIA HENLEY. She began her publishing career in 1982 with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Irish Gypsy </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and her last novel was </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Irish Duke</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(2010). What make her historicals unique is that she often takes a real persona from history and writes a fictionalized account of their life. One of my favorite books her </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Decadent D</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">uk</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">e</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> (2008) tells the story of the Duchess of Gordon’s daughter Georgina who becomes the Duchess of</span></span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Bedford. The story is rich in history and gives and interesting look at that period. Other stories with real people include </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Undone</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> (2003), which tells the story of the infamous Gunning sisters during the Georgian period.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Her</span></span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">other Scottish titles include: </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Insatiable (2004),</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A Year and A Day (1998), Tempted (1993), The Border Hostage (2001)</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> and one of her very first </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wild Hearts (1985</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">).</span></span></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Though I love the historical richness of all her books, I especially love the fact that she knows there is more to Scotland than just the Highlands as all her Scottish books are set in the Borders of Scotland.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My favorite is </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wild Hearts </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">because each of the protagonists and the supporting characters all have the first name of a major European city and this plays well as each of the girls (5) find that one special someone just for them. There is a compelling plot as well</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">as a number of subplots interwoven with main plot each resolved in a satisfying manner, which moves the main plot toward a suspenseful ending. Editors aren’t buying stories like these anymore maybe because people don’t have the time it takes to enjoy a full-bodied plot or maybe authors aren’t taking the time to create unique story elements to set them apart from the crowd. And a common criticism of her work is that she has just too much history in her stories, but isn’t that why we read historicals in the first place?</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_X8xlSP1C2ulrto63FF1Daf1ZAvfc0VMUcgMPtTOP8PGSzuj5LXjzKd0_zMEoCHHSNrect6Im7N-9ut2F84XPbXc6jG8-gLumEh7aPyLjYE6AwqSTgdhmn6lsEX9TW42OcRF1T1pAc-Y/s1600/n67586.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_X8xlSP1C2ulrto63FF1Daf1ZAvfc0VMUcgMPtTOP8PGSzuj5LXjzKd0_zMEoCHHSNrect6Im7N-9ut2F84XPbXc6jG8-gLumEh7aPyLjYE6AwqSTgdhmn6lsEX9TW42OcRF1T1pAc-Y/s320/n67586.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541370970962996050" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Our next author has been away from the publishing scene for quite sometime though I have heard other authors say she is a slow plotter and writer. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">JUDITH MCNAUGHT was first published in 1983 with a contemporary </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Tender Triumph</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> and followed with </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Double Standards</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> a year later, though most of us know her for her Westmoreland series. Good news her next book is the next installment in the Westmoreland series</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">due in 2012- </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Though for many of us fans we didn’t start reading her until her breakout book her bestselling book “Whitney My Love” (1984) came on the market to be followed with the a sequel Until You (1986) followed with the novella story </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Miracles</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> in the </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Holiday of Love</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> anthology in (1994). These first books in the Westmorland series were all set in the Regency period but in 1989 she decided to write a prequel to the story of the Westmorland family with her exceptionally popular medieval</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Kingdom of Dream</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">s set in Medieval Scotland. It was a runaway hit and the final scene in the story is one of those moments, you have the tissues ready for as it is a major ‘awww” moment.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">She then moved away from writing historicals and produced such hits as </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Paradise (1991) and Perfect (1993). </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">She also has written a number of romantic suspense novels but I am hoping that her new Westmorland book due out in 2012 is an historical as many us miss her historical voice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3RU6PU86AWCuxaACnHRONZJmQFoJJvUEKMUWkORq-Yxzl2xumSNk03vvLAS3YGYTSk2ChemMBbpcm7tlgE4MGOGP3qJOANExDPwabRzTHhexPimh-T5VxaoxWej5WvFGQvv5M8Du0Y2U/s320/n82910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541368674495577602" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Finally the last author JULIE GARWOOD is one who cut her publishing teeth on Scottish romances. Though for me, I find her books “historical lite”, light on history but are strongly character driven books. Julie was first published in 1985 with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Gentle Warrior</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> and some thirty books and novellas later she will have her next book </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Ideal Ma</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">n</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">come out in 2011. She began writing historicals with many turning into on going series. She is beloved by the readers who love Scottish set stories because of her: Highland Laird series (The Secret (92), Ransom (99) and Shadow Music (07) as well as her Lairds’ Fiancée series</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(The Bride (89) and The Wedding (96).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">However for me, first and foremost, my favorite of Ms, Garwood’s books set in Scotland will always be </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Saving Grace. </span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A novel set during the time of King John and King William. Our heroine has just found out that her husband is dead and her brother, for her own protection as she as might know what has happened to one of the princes, take her to Scotland to be married to a Scottish Laird who will get possession of her Scottish land if he marries her. The story if filled with many tender moments as only a Julie Garwood heroine could bring to a story and yet this not wallflower heroine. Though usually like more history based story I loved this book, it is a classic romance</span></span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">. Let's </span></span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">hope that even though Ms Garwood has spent more time in recent years on her romantic suspense tales of the Buchan family (who are Scottish Americans btw) that she will return to medieval Scotland with a much better offering that the last one </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Shadow Music</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, which was just plain awful.</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YIBgBHMsqug?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YIBgBHMsqug?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you have found at least one new author in this group and look for more next Friday.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Thanksgiving,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">may you and yours be blessed with a day full of family food and football.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Jody</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-53598941476906120562010-11-15T09:35:00.000-08:002010-11-15T14:08:58.638-08:00EARLY STEWART SCOTTISH QUEENS<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Stewart dynasty was often plagued with many minority monarchs so the role of the Dowager Queens was always one of a power struggle to make sure her son was not killed and his eventual power was protected . However, these three women who married the first two Stewart Kings did not have this problem. What also made them unique was all three were Scottish born women. Unique? When you look at the queens before them from King Malcolm III forward to King Robert Bruce not a single Queen was a Scot. Interestingly Robert Bruce's first wife Isabella of Mar was a Scot, the daughter of the Earl of Mar and a woman named Ellen who had previously been the wife of Earl of Fife. It was Isabella's and King Robert Bruce's daughter, Marjory Bruce wife of Walter Stewart the High Steward of Scotland who was the mother of the Stewart Dynasty beginning with her son Robert II. His wives and daughter in law was...</span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Elizabeth Mure (first wife of Robert II) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">She was the daughter of Sir Adam Mure of Ayrshire and Joan Cunnigham. She initially was Robert’s mistress but married him in 1336 but the nobles and Church had a problem with this marriage as being not within the conical rules. So initially their children were considered “natural”. However he was able to get a papal dispensation in 1347 and married her in 1349. At this point he was able to make all of his sons by Elizabeth legitimate, which would later create a problem for the Stewart dynasty when the King took a second wife. Unfortunately Elizabeth died before 1355 and Robert was not crowned King until 1371, when he was 55,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">she was never his queen. Elizabeth had 4 sons (his heir Robert III) and 6 daughters: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">John (King Robert III),</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Earl of Carrick, Walter , Lord of Fife, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Alexander,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Margaret m John, Lord of the Isles</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, Marjory m John, Earl of Moray, Johanna m Sir John Keith/others, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Isabella m James Douglas-2</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Earl of Douglas</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">/others, Katherine m Sir Robert Logan,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Elizabeth m St Thomas Hay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf9jpIzWgffKnwEm95kTEgQSnwrBN4RV9XlSf1vwWqoVz5HRQFLWoew2QCZUuaTo5DrWRsu469Px2PeOiQteVp0Sro1YcqlNe2TjKXU4Y2sQo5ABmhxXNTVWw9M5-l-lyz-Nfb_YHfOF6/s1600/robert_ii_annabella.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 161px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf9jpIzWgffKnwEm95kTEgQSnwrBN4RV9XlSf1vwWqoVz5HRQFLWoew2QCZUuaTo5DrWRsu469Px2PeOiQteVp0Sro1YcqlNe2TjKXU4Y2sQo5ABmhxXNTVWw9M5-l-lyz-Nfb_YHfOF6/s320/robert_ii_annabella.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539832535016671698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Euphemia Ross (Robert’s queen but his second wife)</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">She was the daughter of the Earl of Ross and Matilda Bruce (King Robert the Bruce’s sister), creating more problems when both she and Robert II were related to King Robert I: she his niece and he his grandson. This relationship required Robert to obtain another papal dispensation, which was common for noble families in Scotland at the time. Her marriage to Robert II was her second marriage after the death of her first husband the Earl of Moray in 1346 and she remained unmarried until May 1355 when she married Robert II. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Her second marriage to Robert produced 5 more children of which two were sons and it was her sons who disputed the legitimacy of their step-brothers. The Ross family claimed that the sons of the first marriage to Elizabeth Mure had no claim to the Scottish throne as they were</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> illegitimate when born</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">However despite the fact that this first marriage was ruled unconical by the Church when they </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">declared</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> themselves married and lived together producing at least 10 children, the children of such unions in Scotland (noble or common man) would have been legal heirs under Scottish laws. However, on March 27 1371, the Scottish Parliament at Scone Abbey declared that Robert’s first- born son John (later named Robert III) from his marriage to Elizabeth as his legal heir. Euphemia died 1386 before Robert II in 1391. Her children included: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">David, Earl of Caithness, Walter, Earl of Atholl<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Margaret m ?, Elizabeth m David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford, Eigidia m Sir Wm. Douglas of Nithsdale <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BFHGUTHsmsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BFHGUTHsmsQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Annabelle Drumond (wife of Robert III) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Annabelle was born in Scotland in 1350 at Dunfermline Abbey, Fife to the Sir John Drummond and Mary Montifex. She married Robert III in 1367 at the age of 17, some 23 years before her husband ascended to the throne of Scotland. When that happened both she and her husband were crowned at the same time. While King David II was still alive John (Robert III) was named earl of Carrick and she was his countess before later becoming his queen. She and Robert had at least 7 children including the future King James I, her youngest and remaining son. What happened to her older son David</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">is unknown but legend claims he was starved to death by his uncle Robert, Earl of Rothesay, brother to King Robert II.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Annabelle favored the burgh of Fife and donated a sandstone font with her likeness and heraldry to the parish Kirk. Her life was difficult because of the turmoil her husband’s riding accident, which left him cripple and the murder of her eldest son at the hands of her brother in law. This brother ran the country in the king’s name creating all sorts of problems from the Islands to the Borders as well as within his family. It was assumed by historians he was trying to supplant his own son Murdock as heir apparent. Annabelle died at age 51 at Scone Palace and was buried at Dunfermline. Her children included: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">David, Duke of Rothesay(murdered by his uncle), Robert died infancy, James (Duke of Rothesay on his brother’s death and later became James I of Scotland<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Margaret m Archibald, Earl of Douglas, Mary m George Douglas, Earl of Angus/others, Elizabeth m Sir James Douglas, 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Baron of Dalkeith,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Egida m</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">to a Douglas family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The next posting will be looking at three children of these women and how their lifes might have influenced Scottish history. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-70359889441023175352010-11-11T22:18:00.000-08:002010-11-11T22:49:51.328-08:00FICTION FRIDAY!!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yep, it’s Fiction Friday again. Though this week I am going to step away from the traditional romance fiction and offer up some new titles I recently have found, but haven’t read. They are historical in the true sense but are mostly mysteries. I have also included two ebooks that looked interesting from one of the very first Ebook publishers, Awe Struck Press. So here are my offerings with hopes that there will more straight historical fiction in the new year:</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Those of you looking for a book set in the late medieval period of Scotland you might want to check out author Shona MacLean who</span></span><img style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoiPWISampa0bJ_P7PechvWk9OceFBGZEFuWXV3cVRU1vgrmVkV9xS9QA46qbO_jOAH15YAAmRVkDAStQG8ym-j5gZZxwdLfzlHOq2wJq4aovwknrwtpzoT3yWOUSj19aNyMNGx6x7oEx/s320/n265697.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538547970124787666" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> as created the protagonist Alexander Seaton in two books. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">THE REDEMPTION OF ALXANDER SEATON</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> takes place in 17</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> century Scotland and Alex is a wayward minister who is now a teacher and when a murder occurs at his school and one of his few friends is named the murder, he sets out to solve this thriller journey the killer but also finds himself. Her second book in the series, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A GAME OF SORROWS</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, has Alexander heading to Ireland to help his family who is cursed</span></span><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><b><b><b><b><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mystery writer Shirley McKay has a two book series called the Hue Cullen mysteries.</span></span></p></b></span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div></b></div></b></div></b></div></b></div></b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><b><p></p></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></p><b><p></p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></p><b><p></p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></p><b><p></p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></p><b><p></p></b><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">HUE AND CRY,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Hue is a young Scottish university student in 1579 at Saint Andrews, when a young teenage boy is murdered on the campus. As he has recently returned from Paris he is drawn into the complex passions and secrets surrounding one of the Regents of the university and the murder. Add to these secrets are the over bearing atmosphere of the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></span></b></span></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Protestant Kirk and the academic community and you have a great mystery.</span></span></span></p></b></span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAw-jrnBmeW3JE4fnNUBMI7gwll2D069IH02MWqHMZPT6oeQGbTiEu7pwBVFvr0Az_kntVTeFWaTD7Tf23C0F_ufo-qL_uSXXv01q8WKGerWOHLIUbixNVWWgg1JYZ3EzMuMfri0Vn6-OP/s320/61lrxP1JHiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538546581481377362" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></span></b></span></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></span></p></b></span></b><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She follows up with </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">FATE AND FORTUNE</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> where life gets complicated for Hue in 1580 when his father dies, a young woman is found dead on the beach at St. Andrews and he finds a law manuscript in his father’s belongings. He is encouraged to read for the Bar in Edinburgh and before you know it when he has the manuscript published there is another murder and he fears that it is connected with the one in St Andrews. Though as he begins to investigate the two murders the truth may be closer than he wants to know. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b></b></b></span></b></span></b></b></span></b></span></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></p></b></b></span></b></span></b></b></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span></b></span></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b></b></b></span></b></span></b></span></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">From Awe Struck Books here are interesting titles:</span></span></span></p></b></b></span></b></span></b></b></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p></p></b></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span></b></span></b></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><p></p></b></span></b></span></b><p></p></b></span></b></div><div><b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b></b></span></span></b></span></p></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Beltaine's Song by Kelley Heckart</span></span></b></span></b></div><div><b><p></p></b><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7rtK-X1SlfisBEsbqXKkjIvMWXtLz32p3K-muaeMHUDeOjRfXRLB-uhXUuXglNcqFBRjzHyZnor0a9E2qiNl5ImYEu78b8kFaHjmtQSAjwdZaBJ5nN93ZAUTfBBb4NsXYImby1tJUnwn/s320/BeltainesSong.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538544623062816914" /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For each of them, spring's song has a different meaning. Now king and queen of the power</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ful kingdom of Dal Riata, Aedan and Domelch have more than just Cailleach's</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">wrath to contend with. Aedan struggles with being a king and being a husband. Domelch struggles with her beliefs, trying to be the Christian</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">woman Aedan wed, but her heart still thrums with the voices of old gods. They must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?” Awe Struck books</span></span></i></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFtZY-ZYpSaml149JDSMp60mS7Z6JzPZccjM6AjZtOh5_hxOK_HTyn4JtttNHYhO94Tr5zkYP36NwyhPpfsXeaaCquHnFirBuhw6Pkpjg-ePgIIgpqsOownv_7jBYNDtNG7G34pNXcyKo/s320/campbells_reivers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538544069590654386" /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Campbell's Reivers by Neil Grant</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This ne</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">w novel is based on the exploits of young Alex Campbell, sent off by his father to join the newly-forming Scots Brigade in the Low Countries of Europe. Romance having been found in unusual circumstances, the young man finds himself forced to part from his new love and leave his native Scotland to take part in the w</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ar between His Most Catholic Majesty, Phillip II of Spain, and Prince William the Silent, Prince of Nassau/Orange. Leading troops recruited from the Border area of southern Scotland, Alex rides at the head of his small band of 'reivers' into the pages of the tumultuous history of 16th Century Europe. Awe Struck books</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-9400985992045558562010-11-04T19:09:00.000-07:002010-11-04T21:19:37.833-07:00FICTION FRIDAY!!<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This Friday the first two books I am showcasing are authors that were new to me. They both have stories set in Scotland but one’s is erotica and the other is romantic suspense heavy on the suspense. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmRphP0VXfrYeL2vMZ6wZzshding5fxfkl6F3dRlrVJk6hdrqkTaaOOFxkVbdOMXe4HYD63uui_aqeUj5nlABdypK6WEbjixYA0KovGiI4v_qNvCWLsO8b0zPpGVfqaqw2PIvD6tx8Fgs/s320/n344970.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535913486090723218" /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">RAMPANT by <a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/saskia-walker/">SASKIA WALKER</a> is from Harlequin’s Spice, which is their erotica line. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Set in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Scotland is a young w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">oman bewitched by 18</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> century witch whose cottage the heroine lives in?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This book has </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">been nominated by Romantic Times for 2010 in their Best Erotic Paranormal Fantasy award.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And if you love erotica and haven’t tried Harlequin’s Spice line this is the one to start with.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXkf7Oek4pPXCPdfCkvtNtCZP_3FmiiPoTAQuU3L2DlkDs74pSByurN3OjZqfMiDkugkfjc8HjZ7iyV0R6xLiAdPyJ2lDe5p5yv9nBYDqUqbbIfRwK-xt4Jj40LxkebCIGfEfJvaVN6iP/s320/51X4+5j-zOL._SS500_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535911851219628658" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you love Scottish romance ( and if not why are you here) but need a story not set in the highlands that has a hero with all kinds of edge to him then I highly recommend <a href="http://carinapress.com/blog/2010/05/sea-of-suspicion-by-toni-anderson-about-the-author/">TONI ANDERSON'S</a> SEA OF SUSPICION.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The story takes place in Fife, Scotland at a marine biology institute, present day. Probably what makes this such a good story is that much of the author who herself has worked toward her PhD at the Getty Marine Laboratory in Fife Scotland. This book kept me turning page after page, Toni was a wonderful new find for me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Check her out for a unique read.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: x-large; ">The following are some of my favorite authors who will have new books out in the next couple of months. Some of these book are part of existing series and some start new series. With Christmas just 45 days away they will make great stocking stuffers for your own stocking!!</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.amandascottauthor.com/">AMANDA SCOTT</a> has a new book due out January 25, 2011. Set in the Highlands with HIGHLAND MASTER, she begins her new Scottish Knights series.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This is what Amazon has to say… <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDZyaOPp_uQ7T139nfR_Af1lvvANVNOKQtTm1KP8RsiT82ye7qQVzS-X-yhRu0RZCqVbpCYw9lAA-SSbi6Eb51dtXUdDb2JbQLU5_pfHw6J-sqKbMtdZc9WvaNmI1lwkN-roKMI0xVfx7/s320/514nnZvdJdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535910423252703890" /><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When eighteen-year-old Lady Catriona Mackintosh discovers a wou</span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">nded </span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">man in the forest near her Highland home, little does she know that he has sworn a sacred oath to kill her father and other members of the powerful Highland confederation known as Clan Cha</span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ttan. Nor does she realize that she has met her soul mate. Independent, competent, intelligent, fiercely proud of her heritage, determined always to live near her own family, and known to her family as the "wee wildcat" because of her quick temper, Catriona is the daughter of a Highland chieftain and granddaughter of the even more powerful Chief of Clan Chattan. But her life changes forever when she persuades Sir Finlagh Cameron to return with her to her home to recover from his wounds”.</span></span></i></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPLFD5hLW7NHrohGIj_KPfGR6j7WhTxUpe4dD99WbMp_pRZ8bv_41MceQ8jkpKpFgAqXg4DfVAaXO5yofbMRol0laxwHPb6tfgcf64aAYBmsUvISb7XWMu-6V5Sr8fvP6-jTlqjRIdM-x/s320/51DWfii888L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535909899600615346" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://www.karenhawkins.com/coming.html">KAREN HAWKINS</a> is also starting a new series with ONE NIGHT IN SCOTLAND, which comes out on November 23, 2010. This series is the Hurst Amulet and brings back characters from her successful THE LAIRD WHO LOVED ME and SLEEPLESS IN SCOTLAND. This is one is Mary Hurst’s story and will set the stage for the books on her siblings. For those of us who love continuing stories this looks like a winner.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmwmhw8qu2biZxn-4kQZk-vba9U5VJKYlqCGyEhb6olntgBnAos0RwRf5N-ZZXt_eit4n0mXZK9g-UALoYnkTj-QMKmfX_8jygcdwCHlOsZwDhAxgyvZQhGgPymjZ0roUoGEg0CZUnyWN/s320/51DsGr4I7EL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535908150611024386" /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4VKnjyVp3q3fgTIBp2BCS7aP6G46khzYyhglpXDCI4wD0_Jn8sM-Dv0FzKjdMZiZQOoqY9SlEqkXxDm3QWWF00DHtkplzcsMGofuLcjyFJCQDz-niukEMbYFtVSBjp_Xqffdj6LDWh4y/s1600/51DWfii888L._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></a><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Romance author </span></span><a href="http://www.veronicawolff.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">VERONICA WOLFF</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> provides her faithful readers with the second installment in her Clan MacAlpin series with DEVIL’S OWN coming out</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">March of 2011.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Her first book in this series DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER came out August of 2010 and the series is set in Highlands after the Civil W</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ars.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What makes her books unique is that the books are well researched and the writing is a cut above.</span></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am sure there are many more book but betweenteaching a class this month and trying to meet my daily goals for NANO, I’ve only had time to read for my class. </span></span></div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-87061826874903819092010-10-28T20:04:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:12:22.442-07:00Sorry!!Sorry Folks <div>I have been under a self impossed deadline this week and I haven't had the time to post this week. Which means there won't be a Fiction Friday this week. However, I would be intereseted in knowing your favorite Scottish Romances!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>More next week despite the fact I am trying to do NaNo, crazy me. Have a great weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jody </div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-56012866882557897512010-10-21T23:44:00.000-07:002010-10-22T00:27:52.022-07:00FICTION FRIDAY!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_NswFjkJXAF-a4kfIL0veyFFiNxy9IH2r0UrCEVO6439hFLbsCAbh3cslC29-0Wg73EYZIV3IoZhSPDaAK-JeMzQFWqF9DeeqeYOFn3w7Eb6lELUcYYtF1rzW7VS-hJFCcWkAr1aL4ws/s1600/n264024.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_NswFjkJXAF-a4kfIL0veyFFiNxy9IH2r0UrCEVO6439hFLbsCAbh3cslC29-0Wg73EYZIV3IoZhSPDaAK-JeMzQFWqF9DeeqeYOFn3w7Eb6lELUcYYtF1rzW7VS-hJFCcWkAr1aL4ws/s320/n264024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530763068854981298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><!--StartFragment--></span></p><span style="font-family:";"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Today for Fiction Friday I am going to step back from the historical romances that I have been featuring the last few weeks. Instead I am going to promote some straight historical fiction that I know will appeal to romance readers as well. My definition of historical fiction is when the story is rich in history and the history is as much a character as the two protagonists. Unlike romances they are of a more sweeping nature and can take place over a much longer period, often years.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Though like all good fiction be it romance or fiction in general there must be conflict and the conflict in a straight historical is most often the conflicts involving historical events within the historical period first and then the reaction of the protagonists to that conflict. Unlike romance there is no required Happy-Ever-After and often to be true to the history there can’t be.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The first two writers are authors whose work I have come to enjoy. One author, Robyn </span><span style="text-transform:uppercase"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">oung is new to fiction publishing with her Crusader trilogy. The other author, Jack Whyte has many books to his credit and a growing reader base but it is his last books that have caught my eye: his Templar series with Scottish protagonists</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruXdRX0vZ1Bkw0A9rFkOhK2rrFwyOu58g__l_mP-BFGH_tlxCklOU9FssgMmJEEq_e6J3cO1tfjLsKKompq3rVFiLl_qEP_Au-qHAZ2gPPcdYmd1NIFsasl516juGUiuzyWsthc7RrYW8/s320/n179680.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530762143406785778" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ladies first… Robyn </span><span style="text-transform:uppercase"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">oung was born in Oxford, England and attended the University of Su</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ss</span><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ex at Brigh</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ton. She is Scottish and English on her dad’s side and is Welsh and Irish on her mum's. She comes from a “folksy” family as she calls them and did a series of unfulfilling jobs until she met her current partner and began to write though not a novice as she was always involved with the writing process while in school. She realized after writing a 350,000-word saga that she needed to learn the process of creative writing, which eventually led her to earn her Masters Degree in Creative wiring from Uni. of Sussex. It was however a trip to Egypt in 2000 that gave her the idea to write BRETHREN, the first of her Crusader trilogy. What drew me to this first book was that it was the story of a Scottish Knights Templar. Anyone who knows me knows these two (Scotland and Knights Templar) are my most favorite books to read and to have them in one book, I was in historical reader’s heaven. But what kept me coming back for more in CRUSADE and REQUIEM-FALL OF THE TEMPLARS was the well plotted story of her Scottish Knights Templar who was a man and monk caught in the political turmoil that came to a head during the fight for Scottish independence. She weaves her characters through a maze of many political and personal conflict as we see Will Campbell first as a boy, then a knight and finally a man who fights both his human frailty and his faith for the greater good of Scottish Independence. Though most books in a trilogy should stand-alone it would be cheating the reader the wonderful reading experience by not reading them in order.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">On October 14</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> in the UK, Ms, </span><span style="text-transform:uppercase"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">oung’s new trilogy set in 13</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">/14</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> century Scotland will arrive on bookshelves... INSURRECTION- (my copy is on the way from the UK)</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F8ZWunD9EfZh4pjTXaHGVQRRhz2ZaDFZLRFRBxXLe7Ofun8bJDmLCOjYrKeAaO9PJAV_i60ky2HNBQpKszkk71PZOKfGv5EdATlYH8n6ssjy11YD9T3f9eCupvR5kTmKJbV7pm2fk07r/s320/n351584.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530761327125506162" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"1</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">286 A.D. Scotland is in the grip of the worst winter in living memory. Some say the Day of Judgment has come. The King of Scotland rides out from Edinburgh into the stormy dark. On the road he is murdered by one of his own men, leaving the succession to the throne wide open. The king’s death is as a stone thrown into a pool, the ripples spreading far and wide. Civil war threatens as powerful Scottish families jostle for power, not knowing that Edward, King of England, has set his own plans in motion. For almost two decades, Edward has nurtured a fierce vision of conquest – a vision sprung from the words of an ancient prophecy – that will change the face of Britain forever. But all is not destined to go Edward’s way. Through the ashes of war</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, through blood feuds and divided loyalties, a young squire will rise to defy England’s greatest </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">king. His name is Robert the Bruce. And his story begins in Insurrection.” Source: </span></span><a href="http://www.robynyoung.com/insurrection.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">http://www.robynyoung.com/insurrection.htm</span></a></i></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><!--StartFragment--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My next author is Jack Whyte though born and raised in Scotland he has been a resident of Kelowna, Canada for his adult life. Though famous for his Camulod Chronicles and the stand alone book UTHER PANDRAGON, which brought the reader to the early period of the Roman invasion to Scotland and their interaction with the Scots, Britons and Picts of Scotland, I’m most familiar with his most recent trilogy which tells the story of the Knights Templar and their struggles over the 200 plus years of their existence. Though the books truly are more stand alone books than a trilogy with connecting characters in the same time period, there is a running theme, a connection to different Scottish Knights of the Sinclair family. Of the three books I was most intrigued with the first book, THE KNIGHTS OF THE BLACK AND WHITE, which sort of sets the plot around the idea that within the ranks of the Knights Templar there was an inner circle ( or other Order) for an independent organization who used the Knights Templar as a front for this group’s mission. This group included a single member from each generation of the chosen families of Europe, who mission it was to protect the group’s secret. The St. Clair (Sinclair) family was one of those chosen families and the main protagonists throughout the three books are representatives of that family as they work through the conflict of the Knights Templar from without and within. </span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUUlPSTyzkVV9jHVPn71LPX4bVZACGSNDIsCjfRX1jqhKosJS4kTmRDBPd1_OrwlP7yHnCSiicxWQBZNiMEAeomoOhFLesGT5BzBCUJmkC9abIUtS-ooEGMj4Th68djURfJCdXlYEvW_/s320/n148051.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530760174863526386" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Howevery my favorite was the last book in the trilogy ORDER IN CHAOS because though he doesn’t offer any new theories as to what happened to the Templar treasure he does provide a more believable twist to the scenariosl . He also addresses in a more believable way the conflict of King Robert Bruce and his dilemma of allowing the Templar to stay in Scotland though they are excommunicated from the Church, the very Church he is trying convince to endorse his kingship and restore his own good name as well as that of the Scottish Church. With this trilogy you could probably start at any of the books and get a good read without too much wondering what is going on.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FVr-H4bm-yhbiEbWznQh1hahpNQ9nM4i-_MbanpyOR-o_jRGQprkyI_8mKNpTCqgmedPGUIO7zmDi52pdRptJ0-lUVlAnDrZpgEHV2O2Yyvr-tZkUCjlGkx7ASWM8VGNBUSsvgHK9GyI/s320/n296910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530759074721161442" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Like Ms.</span><span style="text-transform:uppercase"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">oung, Jack Whyte is working on a new trilogy called THE</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> GUARDIANS OF SCOTLAND </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">with each book telling the story of William Wallace, King Robert Bruce and my personal favorite, James “the Good” Douglas who if you didn’t know was Robert Bruce’s right-hand man during Scotland’s struggle for independence and who took the heart of Robert Bruce on a crusade to the holy land but was sto</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">pped by the Moors in Teba, Spain. There isn’t a US release date for the first book in the trilogy the title is THE FOREST LAIRD, William Wallace. Though the book it can be ordered from Amazon Canada where it came out September 21, 2010. If you go to Amazon/Canada they have an interesting trailer for the book. I have mine on order!</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The final book I want to recommend this week is one that is unique in that it begins with telling you the particulars or facts of the story and who was who. DEADLOCK AND DELEVERANCE- THE RESCUE OF KINMONT WILLIE tells the story of the arrest, imprisonment and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the daring rescue of one of the most notorious Border</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Reivers… Kinmont Willie Armstrong. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The story is one of the most beloved heroes of the Borders not so much because he deserved saving but that his capture and imprisonment was a huge breach of Border Laws and was an insult in the face of the Scottish Border families. That this one capture brought the whole of the Scottish Middle March together with one purpose, to break Kinmont out of Carlisle Castle, shows the integrity and sense of loyalty to not each border family but loyalty to the Code of Law of the Borders.</span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa-rxO5KRSBOjzLlj_9542eEKW9_7c9VlxSaSOLr5k79CaFzoz-W-eVnjOnbd1lgY0v6lf4VmqXvmdXUi0_IxoloxaiCp7sEkx7ccHpBYFEOu4vzQUQEkdAZbeD3mDvEO49ju6P2K_1XG/s320/51SAL1Ue4ZL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530758122381393362" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> The author Tom Moss has created a unique book because he begins by explaining the all the elements of the story and why it happened and in the second half of the book he provides the reader with his fictionalized account of the Kinmont Willie. I really enjoyed the book because before I read the book I had a good idea of who was who and when I read the fictionalized story, which gives the reader the story from the many different characters’ viewpoint, I was impressed with the depth of the tale. Unfortunately the book can’t be purchased through Amazon and the few copies that have appeared are way over priced but you can order the book directly from the author who lives on the Anglo/Scottish border on the English side but who is very involved with the Riding Season in the Scottish Borders. To order this book, go to this link for more information <a href="http://www.reivershistory.co.uk/rose-cottage-publications.html">http://www.reivershistory.co.uk/rose-cottage-publications.html</a></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-60265213257976709382010-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:002010-10-19T17:27:49.931-07:00SCOTTISH BORDERERS<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In November I will be teaching a class online for writers on the Anglo/Scottish Borders and have ancestors from the Borders. I have always been impressed with the resilience of the Border families who have existed for centuries in a land where scorched earth wasn’t a policy but a way of life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As Scottish and English armies rolled through the borders near Berwick on Tweed or Carlisle they either took the resources of the Borderers or they burned or destroyed it leaving the riding families with few choices other than lifting cattle and goods from each other and from across the Border. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QgrUPCLm5Us?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QgrUPCLm5Us?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> The lawlessness of the three Marches (East, Middle, West) on each side of the Borders was beyond the control of the governments of Edinburgh or London in large part because the early history. The area was part of kingdom of Northumberland and often fought over between the monarchy of Scotland and the royal family in Northumberland with neither keeping the interest of the people in mind. The allegiance of the people was to their family or surname first and foremost, then to fellow borderers and last. If ever, to the respective country they happen to be part of at that moment.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The border itself was officially determined in 1250 when an equal number of knights from both sides of the border met to not only define the borderline politically but to create a set of laws that applied to the borderers. However there was a section between the West and Middle Marches where the line couldn’t be determined… the debatable land. This was a land that encouraged the habitation of the broken men of other families who formed their own family such as Sandy’s Barins as well as the Grahams and the Armstrong where even the Border Laws didn’t’ apply.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What I enjoy reading about is the number of characters that seemed to be a personification of the Border Reivers who were cattle thieves and confidence men and yet had a honor code among thieves that was comparable to that of the feuding clans of the Highlands. A classic example is the story/ballad of </span></span><a href="http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/BalladofKinmontWillie.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Kinmont Willie Armstrong.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Armstrong was a raider who had built a reputation of using his 300 family members to terrorize large tracks of the Border Marches rather just a particular family. He had especially angered the families on the English side and they were just waiting to catch him for his misdeeds. On truce day March 17 1596 when all participants from both sides of the Border are allowed a safe conduct for 24 hours, Armstrong was returning to his home at Morton Rigg just north of Carlisle when a English troops arrested him against the custom of the Truce and took him as their prisoner to the castle at Carlisle.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-GFrPfupehI?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-GFrPfupehI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Keeper of Liddesdale, Walter Scott of Buccleugh was so outraged by this breach of Border Law that he went to neighboring families and together they planned how they were going to break Armstrong out of the castle. Even though Armstrong was a problem to Scott and probably revied a number of the families the breach of the Truce was drove them. On Sunday April 13 th he and 80 men entered the castle and under the nose of Sir Thomas Scropes were able to steal Armstrong from his imprisonment. Of course they had to bribe a guard of the garrison who probably sympathized with the cause of a fellow Border. Though Scropes never caught Buccleugh and Armstrong as they went back over the border he people of Annan and Dumfries in Scotland suffered when Scrope and his English troops burned both in retaliation. But the story doesn’t end there.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/geN0pWkl1Ho?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/geN0pWkl1Ho?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Though Queen Elizabeth was angry with Scrope and his English troops who broke the Truce, she was extremely angered beyond belief that he allowed the Scots to breach the Castle at Carlisle. She contacted King James VI in Scotland demanding he turn over Buccleugh. James was more than willing to do that because he was on tender hooks hoping to be named her heir before she died. However, the Scottish nobles supported Buccleugh and James couldn’t go against his nobles. So he demanded that Buccleugh present himself to the Scottish courts in a way to pacify Elizabeth but she would have none of that. And the debate went on for months with letters flying back and forth from Edinburgh to London until finally Buccleugh with a safe passage in hand, though why he would trust the English at this point is hard to believe but then as a Border Lord he was sure to think he was invincible. When he finally met Queen Elizabeth he wowed her with his bravado which she loved and all was forgiven, though Elizabeth never admitted that the whole event was a result of an over zealous English warden. The problem stemming from the fact Elizabeth sent southern Lords to warden the English Marches and these men had no connection to the actual people in the Borders where on the Scottish side the Wardens were chosen from the prominent families who had their family armies to police not only their land but that of their borders.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-33476207073561986272010-10-14T23:02:00.000-07:002010-10-14T23:37:32.559-07:00FICTION FRIDAY!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDgUwovTgvt-Gz1GoUSLtnMpBVVDBJHOtT2CWoYnQks5Ne-6pFOK-MKPKSve0k-CIBz0npVcrfjWPWvQnml5_1l4b3BtQjTTRP5OUx8IdoIe6LT4jSl6xumOct-rb0KOLH2GEtpRbI548/s1600/hisconquestmed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDgUwovTgvt-Gz1GoUSLtnMpBVVDBJHOtT2CWoYnQks5Ne-6pFOK-MKPKSve0k-CIBz0npVcrfjWPWvQnml5_1l4b3BtQjTTRP5OUx8IdoIe6LT4jSl6xumOct-rb0KOLH2GEtpRbI548/s320/hisconquestmed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528154239392531314" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">One of the good things about doing Fiction Friday is I get promote work of authors who I think do an exceptional job of creating stories rich in historical detail.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The first author is one of those authors. <a href="http://www.dianacosby.com/">DIANA COSBY </a>first came on the scene with her debut book HIS CAPTIVE, to be followed by HIS WOMAN. And her third book of the MacGruder brothers will be on the bookstore shelf November 2,</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">HIS CONQUEST.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If you haven’t tried her books yet they are all set in Scotland in the first war of independence... the Scotland of Wallace and de Moray. There will also to be a fourth book HIS DESTINY in the series in the November of 2011.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBkvvAbrhBcIkGOJgjr3BIdF-o6eMYBLb58iXqFNEcGtmXQLa9umdEpmMm5JMKTfbfacKXOYKBk9A0pYsA8hAjpEGKQK9BRhyphenhyphenPgLOonBv20SpQ9oxynzldDnGZUj8t2xUTCkVvKcBkr9v/s320/31ZSpg9oYbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528153533163093922" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Another book out on November 2nd is <a href="http://www.elizabeththornton.com/blog/2010/07/in-memoriam/">ELIZABETH THORTON’</a>s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A BEWITCHING BRIDE, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">her final book. This is a tale of secrets, murder and a bit of paranormal talents as the hero and heroine challenge each other’s talents to solve the murder but not before they are caught in a compromising position. This is an historical set in Scotland of the late Victorian era. The late MS Thornton was no novice to Scottish romances, her other Scottish titles include: THE SCOT AND I, RUNAWAY MCBRIDE, DANGEROUS TO LOVE, and HIGHLAND FIRE. Ms Thornton a Scot from Aberdeen, Scotland</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">passed away July 12, 2010 and she will be sorely missed as she had a unique voice and a grasp of what historical readers wanted.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNbAC0RHJNAd94ZUAA8IG-W09B37mR6z48TkLVdOT8dbe0b_L4FYz8MGwMVlqW00uCXaXrVMgVz-tk0pLxtZSluwom9uu1knZDvv8IvS61BLBZYlcf6doB0HQRs_3qicNQVgauW6U0zso/s320/9780345520548.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528152615786080610" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This next offering is from my To Be Read pile and is a from a debut author. The book though not romance in the true sens is a historical fiction offering and should appeal to the romance reader. THE EXILE OF SARA STEVENSON by <a href="http://www.darcihannah.com/">DARCI HANNAH</a> is the story of Sara Stevenson in 1814, the daughter of the lighthouse designer Robert Stevenson, who falls in love with a young sailor named Thomas Crichton, becomes pregnant but her parents send her to the far reaches to a lighthouse on Scotland’s far north where she meets William Campbell. When Thomas doesn't show at their arranged place, she decides that what is been done is done and tries to get on with her life until news of Thomas’s possibly whereabouts. The tale seems to take on a tone of mystery and love with an expected HEA if not a traditional romance.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And finally as promised I have a few more authors from THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCES:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.sandyblair.net/">SANDY BLAIR</a>, a favorite of Scottish romance readers, is no stranger to these MAMMOTH BOOKS OF… series having a story in the MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMACES with her story...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2YBXePJR8U?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2YBXePJR8U?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ms Blair’s other titles include a Christmas story and her “… in kilt” series. The only drawback to her stories, for me, is her heavy use of Scots dialect and can slow the pace of her books.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> And two new comers to me: </span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY2OUtvzWKErrnk4Alicv3Q3keMlpdOV5vVNVu3x639lYhkGuu7OV8hKxLEZWjExGtl10AdmTbFx7c7iOvUSH8zTj1IkWGMI9mD7wdexGNzp19AVQznfTTCDWp6KK31lPwN6XsFbpenVR/s1600/prophecy_250.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY2OUtvzWKErrnk4Alicv3Q3keMlpdOV5vVNVu3x639lYhkGuu7OV8hKxLEZWjExGtl10AdmTbFx7c7iOvUSH8zTj1IkWGMI9mD7wdexGNzp19AVQznfTTCDWp6KK31lPwN6XsFbpenVR/s320/prophecy_250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528151075066710018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-evROUqIkQqM64jiqNokdEG4oPqGb4ltwmmbmNLw8OqRcENVXywUyz3wD2xXh8_JmvJ964nkPWYe0XfikA58QhE7WurElP9mMEQo5w2BBQYkoZv_H00i9faG_AfEgP6GREGPCq4I22S_u/s1600/LordoftheIsles.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-evROUqIkQqM64jiqNokdEG4oPqGb4ltwmmbmNLw8OqRcENVXywUyz3wD2xXh8_JmvJ964nkPWYe0XfikA58QhE7WurElP9mMEQo5w2BBQYkoZv_H00i9faG_AfEgP6GREGPCq4I22S_u/s320/LordoftheIsles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528150655187490130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.heathermccollum.com/books.asp">HEATHER MCCOLLUM</a> is a Wild Rose Press </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> tauthor whose Dragonfly chronicles include: PROPHECY, MAGICK, and soon to be published MASQUARADE.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.debbiemazzuca.com/index.html">DEBBIE MAZZACU</a>’s books include her debut LORD OF THE ISLES (April 2010) and WARRIOR OF THE ISLES (May 2011)</span></span></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-53973533900524513782010-10-13T22:00:00.001-07:002010-10-13T22:19:47.267-07:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4NzAzMjIyNDYxMiZwdD*xMjg3MDMyNDUxMDczJnA9Njk*MzAxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz1mZjcxZDQ1MzlkMjE*/MTdjYTQ4ODEwYmY4MGVlMTE4OSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"><br /></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-7131631227768217242010-10-12T18:19:00.000-07:002010-10-12T18:33:43.969-07:00WHISKY vs. WHISKEY<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">s my RWA chapter mates and writing friends know the one thing that drives me crazy in historical romances and even historical fiction is when the book is set in Scotland and the protagonist is a Scot but he drinks whiskey. No self respecting Scot would drink whiskey they drink WHISKY or Scotch Whisky. Editors may tell writers that these two words whisky and whiskey are interchangeable but that just isn’t so to those who are whisky connoisseurs. The fact is if is to be called Scotch it must be a whisky distilled and bottled in Scotland. The term </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Why the difference? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some suggest that in 19</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> century the Scottish whiskies were not as well refined as they didn’t use pot stills, so to differentiate themselves from a lesser quality whisky the Irish changed the spelling to whiskey for their whiskey. I have also heard the difference of the two spellings was a result of the anglicized version of the Gaelic words for whisky: usisce beatha (Irish) and uisge beatha (Scottish) resulting in whiskey and whisky. Those who use the term Whisky are Scotland, Wales and Japan as well as some whiskies in the US distilled by Scottish Americans. The term Whiskey is more often used in America and Ireland. Though many believe that Whisky originated in Scotland the process of distillation began in Babylonia in Mesopotamia when they distilled perfumes. It is believed the process may have been brought to Ireland and then to Scotland when the Scots came from Ireland. What makes whisky different from beer is the distillation. For whisky at least in Scotland comes in a number of ways including single Malt and blended, from a cask or from a bottled variety. </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7ow59BMrbrw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7ow59BMrbrw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The process of distilling single malt whisky begins with the </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">water:</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> first used to germinate the grain barley into what is called the mash. Water is also used to dilute the alcohol and then again at bottling. Scotland distillers pride themselves on the quality of the water used especially in the Highlands, Islands and Speyside and the amount of peat in the water increases the smoky taste.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The next process is the</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> malting, </span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">which is the blending of the barley, yeast and water, the only ingredients required to make a single malt whisky. The grain is soaked for 2-3 days where it germinates into starch to ferment to make sugars. The is halted after 3-5 days of the use of heat- hot air pumped which could include peat smoke to add to the flavor (phenois) the higher the phenol level the more peaty the flavor. This dries the mash.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mashing</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, the next step, is taking the dried malt and milling it into a rough flour where hot water is added to extract the sugar (mash tun). Adding more water dissolves the sugars (maltose) and the enzymes (diatase) into a grist. The enzymes work on the sugars, which ferments the sugar, which creates a sugar liquid called </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">wort</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. This is usually done three times</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fermentation</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is the process of adding yeast to the grist, which feeds on the sugar producing both carbon dioxide and alcohol. This is done usually done over three days where the alcohol level rises to 5 to 7 %. This is known as the wash. This is the last process, which is used for making beer. To make whisky the product must now be distilled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Distilling</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> … the wash from the fermentation process is now put in copper stills (pot belly) and the wash is heated to boil off the alcohol. The alcohol vapor is collected in a condenser, which is submerged in cool water. The lover temperature causes the vapor to return to the liquid form rising alcohol lever to 20 to 40%. They repeat the distillation process a second time and sometimes a third to get an alcohol level of 70%. The </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">body</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (taste/look) of the whisky comes from the size and shape of the still, so they must be uniform. This is called “new-make” spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSTKJ3assTFRgGADFjFHR5rl59ApjcCCoogBeb5HaQC1e-2erfnCnd6nQEcaZTkDPSbVewJZUFt9dbl5-CzVRUJhhUnRIynrGj76bsCaDs4LlUgj0IJECI5S-KgphmJ8C1U0KeBHjY2LO/s1600/425px-Erskine_Nicol.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSTKJ3assTFRgGADFjFHR5rl59ApjcCCoogBeb5HaQC1e-2erfnCnd6nQEcaZTkDPSbVewJZUFt9dbl5-CzVRUJhhUnRIynrGj76bsCaDs4LlUgj0IJECI5S-KgphmJ8C1U0KeBHjY2LO/s320/425px-Erskine_Nicol.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527336191365070898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maturation </span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">is the final stage to “new make spirit’. The whisky is placed in OAK casks to allow it to mature over the years. By law all Scottish whisky must mature at least three years and plus a day in Oak casks. Single malts age much longer. The whisky continues to change the longer it is in the wood. Some can age twenty years or more. For each year</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 to 2% evaporates from the cask, which is called the “angels share”. As to the casks the flavor is affected by what was in the cask before. Many Scottish whiskies uses casks from American whiskey makers, others like casks from Spain that held wine or Madeira and some use rum or cognac casks</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bottling</span></span></b><span style="font-weight:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">—For the whisky to be a single malt whisky, a bottle may contain only one whisky distilled from malted barely or other single grain and come from a single distillery. For blended whiskies the bottle will include a number of single malt whiskies from a number of distilleries. Bottling doesn't have be done at the same distillery though a lot of single malts usually are. An age statement on a blended bottle is the youngest on the whisky blended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 15.0px Helvetica"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZLyyrLC3cQc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZLyyrLC3cQc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whisky connoisseurs believe whisky should be served at room temperature and it is OK to add water believing it enhances the taste. Though many Americans drink</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“Scotch” on the rocks (ice) is believed that making the drink cold is sacrilege and dilutes the taste. It is important to remember, room temperature in Scotland is (in my opinion) colder then room temperature in the US; we love our creature comforts.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">No matter if you like blended or single malt. For Scotland each of the following provide both single malt and blended whiskies each with a unique taste from the water and ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/campbelltown/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Campbeltown Distilleries</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/islay/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Islay Distilleries</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/highlands/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Highland/Island Distilleries</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/lowlands/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lowland Distilleries</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="ttp://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/speyside/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Speyside Distilleries</span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-50231257992502470622010-10-07T12:55:00.000-07:002010-10-07T13:31:44.494-07:00Fiction FRIDAY... early!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">O</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">n my recent trip to Seattle to visit family and friends I had the pleasure of attending the EMERALD CITY RWA CONFERENCE held in Bellevue, Washington. This wasn’t my first conference with romance writers but my first that had such a large number of published authors ( not including the national RWA conference). I have often wondered why so many authors live in the PNW but I think it has to do with so many rainy days that keep one in at their desk writing. Of course it could also be the stunning scenery and the fact that Washington State has no state income tax.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At each of the meals I made it a point to sit at a table where I knew no one other than maybe by name for the books they write. Though being on two writers loops Hearts Through History and Celtic Hearts I was hoping to finally put faces with names. On Sunday our lunch was the final event for us all to come together and I sat at a table with many of the local authors and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the antics of Publishers Weekly and friend </span><a href="http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BARBARA VEY</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. I knew some of the names at our table (</span><a href="http://www.gerrirussell.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GERRI RUSSELL</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> who writes great historicals) and when I chatted with the young woman who sat next to me she got excited when she read my nametag and said she loved my posts on the history links and on Scotland on one of the writing lists we are both members of. After gushing over other authors all weekend it was a new feeling to have some gush over something I did. </span><a href="http://www.amandaforester.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AMANDA FORESTER</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and I had a lovely chat over lunch and I wish I had met her earlier in the conference so we could talk more about what she is planning in the future. She even graciously carried my winning basket back to my room for me. As a debut author I wanted to feature her this week…</span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ8Ai9arz_EDJLFs2lXS4BX5SCxMJmC7i3iETrjKHCM_TyWe2H8OR1lLhBTDPlOqNjOEpseM6AKPqXqKcDYk-9NGkA6-LDnw208GuitmfXLEd8v2h3mLWaky7V_DuP6R7l7gUknkRyynD/s320/highlanderssword200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525400052476203026" /> <!--EndFragment--> <div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amanda writes medieval Scottish tales and her debut book was published this past March called THE HIGHLANDER'S SWORD, set in the Highlands of Scotland in 14</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century. The following is one of the book trailers for this book which I know will please many of you who love a feisty Scottish lass who levels a braw Hieland warrior.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wHdc3lMAysY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wHdc3lMAysY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amanda’s next book THE HIGHLAND’S HEART debuts next spring so put it on you shopping list now. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As one does at such a conference I people watch and while waiting to get into a class I had the pleasure of chatting with author </span><a href="http://www.jackieivie.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">JACKIE IVIE </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">while she waited to teach her class “Researching Historicals and Bringing Them to Life”. Jackie is one of the twenty authors I mentioned last Friday who will be part of the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romances coming out in January. But Jackie is no stranger to writing Scottish romances, her books include: TENDER IS THE KNIGHT, A KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS- LADY OF THE KNIGHT, ONCE UPON A KNIGHT, A KNIGHT WELL SPENT, HEAT OF THE KNIGHT and her latest A KNIGHT IN WHITE SATIN. These books all set in Scotland are set in different time-periods from Medievals to 17</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkdjnz8pcNmON5-NF3msOyEWvGXP6z2ezkKnUvPIEla4VX0BIXGhWA6RLg6Y4NF2GCO3ApJnVL3o2faSpbB-jU1_48uun1cuMDR7bTAbTHpTGtcow7MrqCVtiOmc-lCfG89FxTVmABqzV/s400/tnAKAWS.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525398319174525778" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I finally was able to get a listing ( thanks to Terri Brisbin) of the twenty authors who will be part of that Scottish romance anthology and I want to take the next couple of Fridays to feature them. Here are some more of the authors who will be featured:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.kimberlykillion.com/home2.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">KIMBERLY KILLION</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> was a Rita finalist for First Best Book with her debut book... HER ONE DESIRE in 2009, which is set in London and the Borders of Scotland and her latest is THE HIGHLAND DRAGON set in the highlands. Her story in the MBO Scottish Romances is HIS MAGICK TOUCH a story set on the island of Barra in the 16</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century. An excerpt of this story can be found here. </span><a href="http://www.kimberlykillion.com/hmtexcerpt.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.kimberlykillion.com/hmtexcerpt.asp</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CzgMMKsoS8k?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CzgMMKsoS8k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5ivSdNtmwBI-Hpb4eW-L31Kf7H00EQKFNAxuf0mXsmSuOxHwi5t6V1edPZAR_g10RWkRI7TwnG70Oafn5yuJpdnld5Zq7Z764KaD3To_VuLeqNK7HpSlT5iD6uOtYg_4ag_c1-FN7Fqg/s400/so_enchanting_lg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525396990493795410" /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.conniebrockway.com/index.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CONNIE BROCKWAY</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> who writes both historical and contemporary romances is a 2 time RITA winner and icon of the historical romance. Her Scottish romances can be found in the McClairen Isles trilogy: THE PASSIONATE ONE, THE RECKLESS ONE and THE RAVISHING ONE. Her Rose Trilogy is also set in Scotland or with Scottish heroes: MY PLEASURE, MY SUDUCTION and MY SURRENDER. Other Scottish stores include SO ENCHANTING She has also has a Scottish tale in the anthology MY SCOTTISH SUMMER – “Lassie Go Home” – contemporary set in Scotland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6TpHavy1H2ROoJcJi-05HE_oanXaCUzGwH9FoMIdGetyOzOdpe-CE684N2RYJ1a56CjQ9DQliTOqJpgzCWPmBfXB-lUAClSD5AiiKzEOYc_0IteGy_ky2_ncaPkUdGoFXhr6D-Z3tb7W/s1600/wickedhighlander_300x186.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbVHq1vIV0DQruvoADihVW0y15rkHcYH0AY4rtLemlWjenMEJ6yRfhWYMrtcu67OZRHP1n1XwU9izuLd8O-iAO5UCECiSNFDAfMNiK4M7imSnp1C0EG2uLBfKm3VBDUx_KzbxNWWO7zrt/s400/wickedhighlander_300x186.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525396247338785554" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And finally an author new to me is paranormal writer </span><a href="http://www.donnagrant.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DONNA GRANT</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> who has two series of books set in Scotland or with Scottish heroes: The Druids Glen trilogy (ebooks) HIGHLAND MIST, HIGHLAND NIGHTS and HIGHLAND DAWN. Her current series is the “Swords” series and includes: DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER, FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER and WICKED HIGHLANDER</span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-17799558761145029062010-10-07T00:31:00.000-07:002010-10-07T00:58:35.511-07:00WOMEN OF THE '45Though there are few cases of women in the late medieval and early modern period who actually took up arms and fought in the wars of Scotland and later Great Britian, there were women who played an important part in its culture of war. For Bonnie Prince Charles Stuart, the son of the Old Pretender, he had an air of charisma that attracted loyal Jacobite women. Though we all know of the role that Flora Macdonald played in the escape of the young Prince after the Battle of Culloden, there were many women who played far more important roles in the Jacobite cause. The women below are but a few of the remarkable women who used their wits and their clan's brawn for the Jacobite cause. <div><br /></div><div> *****<i>don't read this as only a Scottish cause and it would be equally wrong to think of this year of uprisings as one of a battle of Lowlander vs Highlander war or a Scottish vs English war . It was a Jacobite (Stuart) army which had supporters from the Highlands/islands as well as the Lowlands and even into northern England. And the Royal army also had many loyal Scots who fought on their side as well including Lowlanders, as well as a number of Highland clans***</i>****</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><b>Women of the ‘45</b></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Jenny Cameron</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> of Glendessary raised an army of 300 men of her clan at a time that really boosted the Prince’s morale. But to pro-government propagandists they portrayed her as the Prince’s mistress. What is interesting is even though Prince Charlie realized he needed the women’s support which was great for fundraising, he was very conservative and expect the women to remain in their homes and not take on the roles of men. He sounded more Hanoverian in the thought, believing a woman’s place was in the home. He probably would have chastised his wife if she had acted as freely as many of the following women and yet his successes were due in large part to the role of the women calling out their clans, or in some cases shaming them to come out to the Stuart cause. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EavpIelNHZ4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EavpIelNHZ4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anne Farquharson of Invercauld. </span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anne was only 20 years old and was married to Angus Mackintosh who was the Chief of Clan Chatten and the Mackinntosh. Anne, Lady Moy was a beautiful young woman and was a staunch Jacobite and though she was almost 20years younger than Angus it was a love match. Like many Lairds of clans and families, Angus sat on the fence for a while and then chose the crown’s side where he served as a commander of a Black Watch unit whose job it was to serve the crown by repressing the unrest in the Highlands. But Anne as much as she loved him, loved the Jacobite cause more and went behind his back</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">by raising over 300 of Mackintosh men for the Prince and asked her husband’s cousin a Macgillvary to command the group. She was a victim of the Crown’s propaganda machine when she was pegged as an Amazon. Though despite the political cartoons of the day,</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">she never road with the clan into battle. She even endured slurs claiming she and the cousin were lovers. Using her wit and few resources she routed the Crown’s troops who were looking for the Prince near Moy, with some clever plans and only four men.</span></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;">She gained the nickname of <b>Colonel Anne</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> because she rode at the head of the Clan’s men when she took them to the Prince and because after the Battle of Prestonpans when her husband was captured with his Black Watch group, they were turned over to Anne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When she welcomed him as Captain Mackintosh and he replied addressing her as Colonel Anne. Though she did go behind his back, it didn’t seem to hurt their relationship<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though she and her mother in law, also a Jacobite supporter, spent some time in jail in Inverness after the battle at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Culloden. However, when Butcher Cumberland held a ball in London to support the victory at Culloden, Anne went with Angus and even danced a dance with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cumberland<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in support of the Hanoverian victory but only he he would dance with her to a Jacobite tune. She never had any children, and when her husband died in 1770 she moved to Leith where she died at age 61. Her grave site can no longer be found in Leith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MmzDlUDMDmc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MmzDlUDMDmc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Margaret Ogilvy</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">- was a young Lowlander from Dumfries and was only 20 years old at the time of the uprising. She was married to David Ogilvy. They both were avowed Jacobites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When David and his regiment of men from Forfar rode to join the Princes army Margaret was with him. When he took his vow of allegiance to the Prince, Margaret was at his side.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Isabel Haldane- </b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Was another wife whose husband was sitting on the fence. But Isabel shamed him into making the decision when she took off her apron and handed it to him and said, “…<i>if you are not willing to be commander of the Appin men (Stewart), stay at home and take care of the house and I will go and command them myself</i>” Her husband, Charles Stewart, collected 300 men and joined the Prince’s army. Sounds like he was more afraid of his wife than the Crown’s army. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><i>Some of the women were even bullies when they tried to get their clan to join the cause, making threats and following through just like the Crown did in the Highland Clearances: </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Charlotte Robertson</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;">Lady Lude- She was the daughter of a Lady Nairne who was a Jacobite supporter in uprising of 1715. She was rather flighty and was often in the company of the Prince’s entourage. She gave hospitality in her own home as well as those vacated by the pro-crown forces. But she was also known to bully and threaten her own tenants to join the cause or she would burn them out and often did. Then when they left she would pursue them and say they could save themselves by paying to stay alive. At one point it is believed she e raised over 1000 men for the cause. But after Culloden she was captured by the Crown troops and the very people she had bullied and threatened now gave evidence against her but her rank kept her from harm unlike the men prisoners.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-50275867202294231532010-10-06T12:16:00.001-07:002010-10-06T13:26:04.112-07:00BLACK AGNES<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-24.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <!--EndFragment--> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">On a recent trip home from Seattle I watched ROBIN HOOD and marveled at Cate Blanchet in armour going to war again, seems like she didn't have enough from her two Elizabeth movies. But how realistic would that have been having a woman fight alongside men in the medieval period? Well we know the early Celt women were warriors and maybe that spirt if not actual participation in warfare continued with the medieval women of Scotland. We know that many a nobleman would have to leave his castle or tower house to go off an fight for his king. And though he left contingents of knights and men at arms to protect the castle the person in charge was often his mother or his wife. One such woman in the medieval period was Agnes of Dunbar (Black Agnes) and defend their castle they</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:large;"> did... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">" She kept a stir in tower and trench, </span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;font-size:14px;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">That brawling, boisterous Scottish wench, </span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 24pt; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Came I early, came I late, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 24pt; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">I found Agnes at the gate." <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 24pt; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">--- From a ballad attributed to the Earl of Salisbury</span></span></i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Lady Agnes </b>was the daughter of Isabel Stewart and Sir Thomas Randolph and who married Patrick Dunbar, the Earl of Dunbar/March. His castle </span></span><a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunbar/dunbarcastle/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dunbar Castle</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> in East Lothian was the strategic holding for both the Scots and the English during the War of Scottish Independence and after. After the battle of Bannockburn when Bruce's army routed the army of Edward II, Patrick Dunbar gave sanctuary to Edward at Dunbar Castle before he could be whisked away to England. Later, Bruce forgave Patrick Dunbar making him guardian of Berwick Castle in 1322. Dunbar tore down his own castle after trying to defend both castles from the English. But later Edward III forced Dunbar to rebuild at his own expense to house English but that changed n 1338 when Dunbar, who was now entrenched in the Scottish cause got it back. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-24.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In early 1338, while Patrick was elsewhere with the Scottish Cause his wife "Black" Agnes was left to defend the castle against the English Earl of Salisbury. Thinking that it was easy pickings with a woman in charge he quickly learned that Agnes was no ordinary woman. When she refused to surrender, he catapulted the castle with huge rocks and projectiles, but Agnes rallied her women and signaled their refusal to surrender by wearing their best clothing meeting on the ramparts to dust away the mess, a suitable insult with dainty lace hankies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_nmX3LUjs5FQgquJKWfXgNgUKa3wQnkeVc56WEnbZEhjpVS2IP4ae3XtcLB9bzukxfoHImYwc8QEjUAZv0XL2H9ziO7-JZ48jYC_EmhTkngRCYzbDU8m-1mSGKhVKE_Z49Mi2iWuNHmt/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_nmX3LUjs5FQgquJKWfXgNgUKa3wQnkeVc56WEnbZEhjpVS2IP4ae3XtcLB9bzukxfoHImYwc8QEjUAZv0XL2H9ziO7-JZ48jYC_EmhTkngRCYzbDU8m-1mSGKhVKE_Z49Mi2iWuNHmt/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525019244483650546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-24.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Next Salisbury brings in a battering ram, but Agnes was ready and dropped one of the huge rocks he had catapulted into the castle bailey and smashed it to bits. Salisbury was now really getting frustrated by the obvious insults "Black Agnes" was slinging his way. Thinking to get inside he tried to bribe an inhabitant but was thwarted again. Through all these episodes she thwarted him with verbal insults.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-left: 48pt; text-indent: -24pt; line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Of Scotland's King I haud my house,<br />He pays me meat and fee,<br />And I will keep my gude auld house,<br />While my house will keep me</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">."</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-24.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Finally after the siege had gone for weeks he had her brother, Sir John Randolph, the Earl of Moray who was a prisoner of the English brought to the castle. Sir John was forced to call out to his sister, that if she didn't surrender he would be killed. Agnes in bold Scottish determination replied:"...if he is killed he has no heirs, so his land will become mine." Not quite the answer Salisbury expected from a loving sister. Randolph was returned to prison and the siege continued.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiE_35gX-FxHStjYmVFA88ba1MxC-iXKRabJOtaonLUMgQ4QzCmRmVR1P301u4GIIbb4z-DqiyKP1pxy4oeI59uVjo3-invQj-BSHGoYPrOh-ktxJDi7H7sFzhSZYPGf52FASzOuw49Fl/s1600/castle-450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiE_35gX-FxHStjYmVFA88ba1MxC-iXKRabJOtaonLUMgQ4QzCmRmVR1P301u4GIIbb4z-DqiyKP1pxy4oeI59uVjo3-invQj-BSHGoYPrOh-ktxJDi7H7sFzhSZYPGf52FASzOuw49Fl/s400/castle-450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525018551751182786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What Salisbury was not aware of was that despite the fact he had the castle surrounded on all sides but the water, in the dead of night the townsfolk from nearby villages would row over supplies for those trapped in the siege. This water entrance turned the tide for the siege when Scottish hero Alexander Ramsay heard of Agnes's plight and with his 40 Scottish troops entered the castle through the water entrance to rally those inside. Five months after the start of the siege, Ramsay and his troops surprised the English by leaving the castle through the land gate and attacked them. The English scattered, and on June 10, 1338 Salisbury signed a truce and left the castle to Black Agnes</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:16.0pt;margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:-12.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The mother of two sons, Agnes died in 1369, and her husband died a few months after her. Oddly enough, the fates were with her when in 1347 her brother John died with no heirs, so she inherited his wealth/lands and title. She was called Black Agnes as she had a dark complexion.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-36945748296535024022010-09-30T16:21:00.000-07:002010-09-30T17:05:38.441-07:00FICTION FRIDAY... early!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXZbs-d8P59AsXVGvqR9t33RGMA2aVwB_-0axJiRolICRs6v3rZRN2AghC5-BUKif1cJyzes2IdfmPJWTV2aVOUcWEoBYdMjFqZwHJQwP0whQlFCOYKn_wISDwG8VbSy-ce2IgW3PW5RB/s1600/51YtC3jqcBL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXZbs-d8P59AsXVGvqR9t33RGMA2aVwB_-0axJiRolICRs6v3rZRN2AghC5-BUKif1cJyzes2IdfmPJWTV2aVOUcWEoBYdMjFqZwHJQwP0whQlFCOYKn_wISDwG8VbSy-ce2IgW3PW5RB/s400/51YtC3jqcBL._SS500_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522858414498958530" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As I am at the Emerald City RWA conference this weekend this edition of Fiction Friday is going to be a bit short and sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the New Year – January 2011-- there will be a new release of the very successful series of anthologies called “MAMMOTH BOOK OF…” Lucky for us who love Scottish romances it is our turn with the MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCES featuring 20 of the top Scottish romance authors. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a list of those 20 but a did find a few of my favorite authors who will be included:</p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SyTUW950hvaRiGpv2nQpxZX6SN9pm2hEHVwWLvfPvFNXiDbMf00rzOC8CUeBNjkoqH4P3wWWaW1GOo8L6p5Hd1xcfsADyt0YO_ZQslpaRbdI0ozHioRVUyjm9ayHPkLbWyCJ1nTQUtBR/s400/lovethroughtime.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522857014494680194" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Long time friend and favorite author <a href="http://www.terribrisbin.com/index.php">TERRI BRISBIN</a>. Terri broke into romance scene with her very successful time travel of the MacKendieman series that included: A LOVE THROUGH TIME, ONCE FORBIDDEN and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A MATTER OF TIME. She has also wrote a five book series of The Macleries: TAMING THE HIGHLANDER. SURRENDER THE HIGHLANDER, POSSESSED BY THE HIGHALNDER, THE EARL’S SECRET, and ONE CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS. One of my all time favorites is THE MAID OF LORNE. But Terri doesn’t only write Scottish romances she also has a steamy series of books check out this trailer…</p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A STORM OF PLEASURE...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xx69fZET6Fk?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xx69fZET6Fk?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUmG8JnhyphenhyphenN0dvOwpuqOdLa_C945hBVkHkMzMn_lEzuMUQnTmDQhcOkBEmBYwCusApp2MGUGOdclbGMrZZ2xEpdppNrOP_vyrM3DDA04JJWzZOrQeSZzLSnFyN278S5GgffYloe5bzfoxe/s400/MedMarryingTheMarquis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522854683344256482" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /><a href="http://www.patriciagrasso.com/index.html"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrasso.com/index.html">PATRICIA GRASSO</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, an author whose books I devour like M/Ms will also have a short story in the anthology called THE PAGAN BRIDE.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of her best series is the that of the Flambau sisters, all seven of them. The girls are the “natural” daughter of the Duke of Arygll who he has decided to find husband’s for in Regency</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">England/Scotland. The latest offering in the series is Blaze’s story MARRYING THE MARGQUES, and she has her hands full with Scottish Rogue. Many of Grasso’s early titles were set in Scotland as well a</span></span>s exotic locations. She is not an author to be missed</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Other authors in the anthology include....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.annetteblair.com/">Annette Blair</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">- she has a great "witchy" series and this one features a Scot...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IEHBVoq2xTawYV_uCsGPUwWqCnEt0_Gk1GbwqhSmEGhP7OJnPCLweMmTSSujJg1mMRoD6MQ9q9QdKsvZiuAWAcQWuOcD81WDwAYkxakch9BYWdA9mRSScyYiNPzaRh3vB6bYOtwBM5hR/s400/n191181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522853565664090386" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://donnakauffman.com/">Donna Kauffman</a> -- She has a number of current books with yummy Scottish heroes... </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuYA3UEuJeMcJhvZlNmfZOALWXB8Czp2UmHrwI-A6-7Z2sX6P4yrMT85urmOPF32j9zZH54bRIk59tbQdNlLVsWh2dHbQ2eHN67u5q2bTSHo9lGhBDdN1I2gMngGMT_mFL_1kyxQ-BPDZ/s400/somelikeitscot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522852879222054098" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.juliannemaclean.com/">Julianne MacLean</a>-- Look for a new Scottish series in 2011 from St Martin's Press</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3Fo6ERhGRaAuXFmTF6PUHvj28xKwNVkLSGOBW-BiSKRt4nYZTRdSPinf27J_nDkGIdPq1-73DhidTysYqQ9JaN7I7Z7TEUfCT12rXOIVoTIH4YK7pk2IsKdDvgVNE5RexNiLud2r7aJj/s400/Claimed+by+the+highlander+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522851334842691298" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will be back with more history posts next week when I return from Seattle/Tacoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jody</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-4352417931097863372010-09-24T00:51:00.000-07:002010-09-24T01:49:09.365-07:00FICTION FRIDAY!!!<p class="MsoNormal">This is going to be a short post today. I am getting ready to attend the Emerald City RWA conference in Seattle. A wonderful get away weekend for my husband and I. A week for him to golf with our son who lives out there and a week for me to catch up on old friendships and do a little business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The authors I have listed today have been my favorite authors for a long time and are auto-buys for me, even when their books are not set in Scotland or have Scottish heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Though they may not be familiar to you they are worth checking out their offerings and have been mainstays in the industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hope if you haven’t tried one of their books you will pick one up soon. The books listed for each are only a sample of their backlist but are my favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> Click on their names for a site that lists their backlist. </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/amanda-scott/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">AMANDA SCOTT </span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Amanda has been one of my favorite Scottish/Historical romances from way back when I returned to reading romances in 1994. I had a wonderful backlist of books to choose from whether it was a book set in the Highlands, Lowlands of the Borders, she has created yummy heroes and fiesty heroines. </p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxe-eRuhSTl3YGsC1BceoasPRiBHftbyVBwmOBthzMCSZAVuu0QayOmcEt72a398ljTVn0MhyB5c65qw1BszVPDebCHGhZanZzSvu4H24yNVPHTG0Bfz5nq6u73i5UefrpWzT_gs-Cv_9/s400/514+jBZsOmL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520393357124072626" />Though her current trilogy was set in the borders I find my favorite recent books of hers are the stories of the MacLeod sisters of Glenelg, Scotland. What makes this series so great is she starts the story in the Highlands or better yet the Islands of the Macleods and the Lord of the Isles and but over the course of five sisters and their friend Mary Macdonald the story ends in the Lowlands of Scotland as well as the Northeast. The books are set in an around 1370 during the reign of Robert III whose brother, the Duke of Albany had far too strong of control of the throne of Scotland.</div><div><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCO5XYgPeF9En61a3h0rnu9QWXB-dYFEAGjMt2VFxn72S6-SpGmAR457F9-aWUwLsbL23POc2zxfxJ_1lZWKevPc7e3pEQuHm3AbxftJ2O_mK1_mzL7nwRlq9gZS_wye4LTJvsFh0U824/s400/51DIROckn5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520392856271355378" /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The titles include:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">LORD OF THE ISLES – Cristina’s story</p><p class="MsoNormal">PRINCE OF DANGER- Isobel’s story </p> <p class="MsoNormal">LADY’S CHOICE – Sorcha’s story (my favorite heroine</p> <p class="MsoNormal">KNIGHTS TREASUER – Adela’s story </p> <p class="MsoNormal">KING FO STORMS- Sidony’s story (my favorite couple) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">HIGHLAND PRINCESS Mary MacDonald<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(though not a Macleod sister, similar period and location). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her current title </p> <p class="MsoNormal">TEMPTED BY THE WARRIOR- completes her current trilogy and is set in the Scottish Borders.</p><p></p></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-rPvuDrjGQAv2QzOaRg6orKPZ040f71t6zCddFloptiWF2B-WamAzscnmlrQx8DpRjpBTE4rpI4UprUVbw-if9wJOy3QeVd0SxZVdV5Y1D7gpe96S8cLLlseZQupuA6mibSH41chE42H/s1600/n269363.jpg"><br /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-rPvuDrjGQAv2QzOaRg6orKPZ040f71t6zCddFloptiWF2B-WamAzscnmlrQx8DpRjpBTE4rpI4UprUVbw-if9wJOy3QeVd0SxZVdV5Y1D7gpe96S8cLLlseZQupuA6mibSH41chE42H/s1600/n269363.jpg"><br /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-rPvuDrjGQAv2QzOaRg6orKPZ040f71t6zCddFloptiWF2B-WamAzscnmlrQx8DpRjpBTE4rpI4UprUVbw-if9wJOy3QeVd0SxZVdV5Y1D7gpe96S8cLLlseZQupuA6mibSH41chE42H/s1600/n269363.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/k/susan-king/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">SUSAN KING</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/k/susan-fraser-king/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">SUSAN FRASER KING</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/k/susan-fraser-king/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sarah Gabriel</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-rPvuDrjGQAv2QzOaRg6orKPZ040f71t6zCddFloptiWF2B-WamAzscnmlrQx8DpRjpBTE4rpI4UprUVbw-if9wJOy3QeVd0SxZVdV5Y1D7gpe96S8cLLlseZQupuA6mibSH41chE42H/s400/n269363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520390882025110290" /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">One of Susan’s first books THE RAVEN’S WISH was one of the very first books I was asked to review and I have been a fan of her work ever since. I especially like her nouvella THE SNOW ROSE which appeared in THE STOCKINGFUL OF JOY anthology. Her books are set in many different periods of Scottish history and some are from actual events where others are more mystical.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She stepped away from the romance genre and wrote a wonderful fictional account of one of Scotland’s most misunderstood Scottish Queens LADY MACBETH. Though historical evidence no longer survives about this Queen, she like her husband Macbeth has been a victim of malicious character assassination by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare has done to Macbeth and his Queen in MACBETH,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as Randall Wallace has done to William Wallace in BRAVEHEART- all bleather little substance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of all of her recent books I would highly recommend this book because one gets a real sense of what the final years of the last Celtic Kingdom in Scotland were like. She currently has a new book out on Queen Margaret of Scotland- wife of Malcolm Canmore.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Susan is no longer writing romances under the aka Susan King and you can find her new offerings under the aka Sarah Gabriel </p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/jeanette-baker/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">JEANETTE BAKER</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOo0AzOJVxTai3tGeTmJqMrPtVWRk5BGkQbOYi6q9NbfB0r6So6j9VFnEMCOpODmoPaXu1ZAHaiy-RnUU-uDZTpIHP7rCDIrVRCPAnfDw6R1AW3eJyzKqFCCGDe_hHt2vLfxnesUYSkUN/s400/312yKN3U88L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520386049255293682" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The last author I would like to recommend wrote a number of Scottish romances but her real talent lies in setting her characters in Ireland, especially the Northern Irelands and the Troubles. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jeannette Baker packs more book in 100 pages than many authors do in 300 pages. Her stories are well researched and her characters get under your skin that you can't forget them when the last page is turned. The three books that are favorites of mine include LEGACY, set in contemporary Scotland complete with mysterious Celtic traditions where our heroine learns of three of ghostly ancestors and a hero who helps her along the journey,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>CATRIONA the heroine returns to contemporary Shetland Islands to learn about her heritage and finds out she is a reincarnated soul who has lived through five lifetimes through some of Scotland and England’s most turbulent times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And this next title is from her aka of Jeanette Ramirez- LADY OF LOCHABAR- set to the backdrop of one of Scotland’s worst tragedies the massacre at Glen Coe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For those who want </p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPd0MpgWazMPDonjMpJOaI3ShSOwUXQzFkP41oyJbgm6U6f19-FzBVVvDmqX7V-Of63CtqP2hoOYfJOsXNsBWyNcuhewR5iq3ZJS5Xpg19r08hkDJR8PcRcfPxDZZ523OR1iEItvWdC5x/s400/7b2b024128a0d50e78286010.L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520384916514699538" /><div>a compelling story set in Ireland I would highly recommend her Rita winning book NELL – is the story of childhood friends who were torn apart not only by social standing of their parents but also by the hero’s movement toward the Irish Nationalist cause and the heroine’s path that leads to her becoming a lawyer and fitting in with the establishment in Northern Ireland but when their lives are intertwined with Nell a woman from the past who was torn from her lover, will our m</div><div>odern couple achieve what Nell could not?</div><div><div> <!--EndFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">PS: I will be away from the computer next week so if I post other than Fiction Friday the posts will be short and sweet. Have a great week everyone!! </p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-75127207551131963472010-09-23T20:46:00.000-07:002010-09-23T23:40:14.211-07:00... OR WAS IT THE "REAL" STONE OF DESTINY?<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal">In the last posting I discussed Scotland’s sacred “Stone of Destiny”, the legendary pillow of Jacob (of Biblical fame) which traveled from the Holy Land to Syria to Egypt to Spain to Ireland and then finally arriving with the Scotti of Dalriada in the 5<sup>th</sup> century. It was this ancient stone on which all Gael and later Scottish kings were crowned, and which King Edward I of England in 1296 removed from Scotland and placed in the Coronation chair in Westminster Abbey. This was to insure that all English kings would also be Scottish kings or at best overlords of the Scottish crown. The Stone was returned to Scotland, on loan in 1996, 700 years after the first theft. But it wasn’t really 700 years because the Stone made a short visit home in the 50’s </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Christmas Eve, four Glaswegian university students filled with Scottish national pride and some were members of the Scottish Covenant Association, probably a bit too much holiday left Scotland and headed to London to liberate (or steal if your English) the Stone. The leader of the group was a young college student named Ian Hamilton, who had recently returned to college after spending time in the British Army. It was a period of social and political unrest in Scotland and a solution many Scot’s were seeking was to seek Home Rule from England. John McCormack and an the emerging Scottish national party (later forming the SNP) wrote a Scottish Covenant for seeking Home Rule for Scotland but when it was defeated by the government at Westminster. A frustrated Ian Hamilton decided that what the cause needed was a nationalist symbol to stir the people and the perfect one was that which the English had stolen from the Scots some 650 years before.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KFr_q5XEiBM?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KFr_q5XEiBM?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ian, and fellow Glaswegian students Kate Matheson, Gavin Vernon and young Alan Stuart planned over a number of weeks to break into Westminster Abbey. And the caper<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if the movie based on Mr. Hamilton’s book THE TAKING OF THE STONE OF DESTINY is to be believed was a almost a bit of<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>a “Keystone Cops”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They arrived on Christmas Eve 1950 believing most people were home involved in holiday cheer. The four broke in to the abbey (the movie is a bit different than Hamilton’s account) and in the process of pulling it along the floor of the abbey they broke the stone. Once they made their escape they took the larger part and left it with Travelers (gypsies?) in Kent. And the smaller part elsewhere.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Westminster Abbey </p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdFHa9zOA_9bCdCJayiVkrkTeFNLzPtJoznckPdT_Als8z5Sw8RBqzwxF2QJNMlk7OznXeoXHGKhK885Ipg-kXjUboKoyP4z9b9jSi2vLvhcp7GxX0xsKh7b8O-_FAqvTCpbJF376305T/s400/400px-Westminster_Abbey_London_900px.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520359993525347378" /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After the news of the theft was discovered the British government suspected Scottish nationalists of taking the stone and set up roadblocks on the Border. However, the young idealists put the stone in the trunk and drove it over the Border right under the government’s nose. Meanwhile in Scotland the news of the theft was cause for great celebration and resurgence in national pride of even the most hardened and discouraged Scots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The smaller piece was later brought north and the two were joined together again by a stonemason and was handed over to a Scottish politician. In April of 1951, the repaired stone covered by a Scottish Saltire was found at the alter of the ruins of Arbroath Abbey in Angus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was a symbolic gesture given the history of the Abbey and the Declaration of Arbroath calling for Scottish independence in 1320. The four students were finally arrested for the theft but because their actions had inspired the whole nation of Scotland and creating a shot in the arm for Scottish Home Rule movement , the Westminster government never brought the students to trial.</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u0jTTSV4V3xayCiYmI-qPC7nTGzYPTiWIv8_vArZEih5xHh_w9sw8HW3BzM9WqWzVSftKdGPOgCXiiwIdC7tM8n9K84LEEtoXQzBBU8Tu_au4ckntQOYiCi1Aus0mbaUWHUUKP9WW7D7/s1600/ab10.JPG"><img style="text-align: right;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u0jTTSV4V3xayCiYmI-qPC7nTGzYPTiWIv8_vArZEih5xHh_w9sw8HW3BzM9WqWzVSftKdGPOgCXiiwIdC7tM8n9K84LEEtoXQzBBU8Tu_au4ckntQOYiCi1Aus0mbaUWHUUKP9WW7D7/s400/ab10.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520359291311198818" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Arbroath Abbey ruins, Angus, Scotland</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As an aside, now there were those who looked at the stone when it came to Scotland in 1996 and remarked on how it was so very similar to the same sandstone found in the Perth area of Scone and clearly not the basalt that history claimed. In “ Monuments Celtiques” by Jacques Cambray in 1805, he claims that the stone had a writing on it when translated from the original “ Ni Fallat fatum, Scoti quocumque locatum inventient lapidiem negnasse tenetur ibidem” said, “ <i>If the Destiny proves true, then the Scots are known to have been Kings wherever men find this stone</i><span style="font-style:normal">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This may have been more myth and little substance as Cambray believed in a “stone” cult and his connection of the Druids to megaliths has plagued the study of both.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, Scottish activist Wendy Wood in 1968 went to Westminster Abbey and slipped a piece of cardboard under the iron railing that said, “ This is not the original Stone of Destiny. The real Stone is of black basalt marked with hieroglyphics and is inside a hill in Scotland.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And others recently have questioned the validity of the stone that Edward took in 1296. But where is this hill?</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmBQRmrVunqBrLzvnvQh2NDIr2CaSoG6epZjxqzfoEKu3hKXXrmRdS534wu5YCyoyCHAmm1ZodWrzQK_ab96qi865ACgeYzZIgQ_0T6Jv8n0vBjCJSP7osYQltCSGn52Fy7rchwYe9iLN/s1600/508px-SconeAbbeySeal1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmBQRmrVunqBrLzvnvQh2NDIr2CaSoG6epZjxqzfoEKu3hKXXrmRdS534wu5YCyoyCHAmm1ZodWrzQK_ab96qi865ACgeYzZIgQ_0T6Jv8n0vBjCJSP7osYQltCSGn52Fy7rchwYe9iLN/s400/508px-SconeAbbeySeal1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520358806052133346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Seal of Scone Abbey</div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">There has long been a legend that the Monks at Scone Abbey were cunning and aware of the English king’s intent to take the royal regalia of Scotland which included the Stone, and that they substituted the real stone with a fake, maybe even a cesspit cover. After all what did Edward know of the stone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If this was true then why didn’t they bring the stone out for the crowning of Robert the Bruce in 1306 or let the English know later they took the wrong stone? These questions are met with the explanation that the monks didn’t want to make the English angrier than they were with the Scots and these were dangerous times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The idea that they may have given Edward a fake might be supported in when looking at the Peace Treaty of Northampton in 1328, which declared Scotland an independent nation, that Robert Bruce was their king and that his heirs would reign upon his death, the border between the nations would remain the same as the period of King Alexander 111 and young king David II would marry Joan of England. Some sources say the Stone was also to be returned to Scotland as per the agreement and that King Edward 111 ordered its return, but that his mother never complied. That the Scots didn’t object one might assume they already knew they had the “real” Stone anyway.</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbUa4N3lScPvm5mHNCcBijbtU9hb44OJkXQebkwejmsJglhJaTNh2pgIQT4_f-M30KW6dgdmLTNEw8pFf3cNbyHlgXzqgCotO2BPwUXfeG9z4G14GV0QslrydDhFaRp4EjKq__gItIPP9/s1600/DunsinaneHill_From_BlackHill_12APR03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbUa4N3lScPvm5mHNCcBijbtU9hb44OJkXQebkwejmsJglhJaTNh2pgIQT4_f-M30KW6dgdmLTNEw8pFf3cNbyHlgXzqgCotO2BPwUXfeG9z4G14GV0QslrydDhFaRp4EjKq__gItIPP9/s400/DunsinaneHill_From_BlackHill_12APR03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520358362355691794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Macbeth's legendary fort on the top of Dunsinnan Hill, Perth Scotland </div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">So where might the real one be? Legend has it that it was placed in the hillside at Dunsinnan Hill which was once the site of King Macbeth’s castle and lies near Scone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the late 1700’s or early 1800’s a young farm boy after a brutal rainstorm found what appeared to be a cave or fissure. Boys being curious, decided to investigate and found a subterranean chamber, which held a stairs with a blocked passage. But what intrigued them the most was a stone slab held up by four stone legs and the stone had writing on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Later on as the one grew older he heard the legend and went back to the Hill to look for the opening but never found it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some believe that the stone is now housed at Dunsinnan Hall because a worker on one of the restoration of the hall overheard the owner claiming he could touch the stone whenever he wanted to. The current owner of the Hall has neither admitted nor denied ownership/guardianship of the Stone.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When Ian Hamilton was asked if the Stone returned to Scotland was a fake, he claimed the Stone he and his fellow patriots liberated from England was the original stone that King Edward took. However, with a twinkle in his eye, he didn’t dismiss the claim the Stone he liberated might have actually been a fake all along. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-7703997239234892192010-09-20T19:12:00.000-07:002010-09-21T00:49:14.709-07:00THE STONE OF DESTINY- "Lai Fail"<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On Saint Andrew’s Day, November 30, 1996 in a cavalcade along the High Street running from Holyrood Palace to the Castle at Edinburgh the fabled Stone of Destiny was returned home to Scotland after a 700 year-old theft.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wipf5ACdOUk?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wipf5ACdOUk?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The stone was the ancient stone upon all kings of Scotland were crowned. The “speaking stone” as one legend states (there is no historical evidence) was the stone upon which Jacob of Biblical fame was to have rested his head. It was taken from Syria to Egypt where it was taken to Spain and then Ireland to Tara where the high kings of Ireland were crowned.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The stone was brought to Scotland by the Scoti of Ireland who came in the 5</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> century and was the centerpiece of the coronation of the kings of the new kingdom of Dalridia in what is now Argyll at Dunadd.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the Viking raids increased along the west coast of Scotland at the time of King Kenneth macAlpin moved the stone from Iona to Perth. The stone was placed in the Abbey at Scone and from there all of the kings of Scotland up to King John Balliol in 1292 were crowned. </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWeaTYf2b6DqA0mEi6RxRNzhuY4f3zfY0CuK9pohjXaEoot6lp9qilQzrg-iDz7OTAkwJQFEIvCsbdy_xZhA_nZTFyAYHpa-PQmyrEhALRem0Qt9wCnZsgdeM-HC7uxArIh2vr5bHyOE/s1600/Stone_of_Scone_replica.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWeaTYf2b6DqA0mEi6RxRNzhuY4f3zfY0CuK9pohjXaEoot6lp9qilQzrg-iDz7OTAkwJQFEIvCsbdy_xZhA_nZTFyAYHpa-PQmyrEhALRem0Qt9wCnZsgdeM-HC7uxArIh2vr5bHyOE/s320/Stone_of_Scone_replica.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519269184156017170" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">King John was the chosen claimant from the thirteen who vied for the kingship of Scotland left vacant by the death of the “Maid of Norway” the granddaughter of King Alexander III. By naming him king, Edward I of England believed that Scotland was now a vassal of England and expect the Scottish nobles to help fight his war in France. Not so though King John was weak with little control over the nobles of Scotland, he with the support of those noble in 1296 signed a treaty with France for mutual aid, which was to become known as the Auld Alliance.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This enraged Edward who quickly retaliated by bringing an army to Scotland and first laying waste to Berwick killing over 8000 inhabitants and from there he headed north and met the Scottish Army, such that it was, at Dunbar and totally destroyed the Scottish army. At this point Edward demanded fealty of the Scottish nobles and their signature became known as the Ragman’s Rolls.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> While in Scotland in an effort to break the moral backs of the Scots he rode to Scone which was then the capital and at the Abbey he removed the relics of Scotland which include the Black Rood of St Margaret, which was the piece of the ‘true cross” that Queen Margaret brought with her to Scotland when she married King Malcolm III and gave the Scottish church. Edward also took the Stone of Destiny so that there would be no more kings of Scotland that weren’t also kings of England.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, that didn’t stop the Scots because Scottish kings continued to be crowned at Scone, minus the stone, from King Robert de Brus forward. </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnpsG4TsjbozyvMRJHK3Z_sRH_6CJKuGvehmR7QauerTUcocqhCR45SciBK69vXdJKmH41pRXlaz55UDo3PsEX1oSfK8GX4FwYr3GUVhmDk3UvGEILazJZlwl7RO_-xE4jpA1DkSmnRg/s1600/Coronation_Chair_and_Stone_of_Scone._Anonymous_Engraver._Published_in_A_History_of_England_(1855).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnpsG4TsjbozyvMRJHK3Z_sRH_6CJKuGvehmR7QauerTUcocqhCR45SciBK69vXdJKmH41pRXlaz55UDo3PsEX1oSfK8GX4FwYr3GUVhmDk3UvGEILazJZlwl7RO_-xE4jpA1DkSmnRg/s320/Coronation_Chair_and_Stone_of_Scone._Anonymous_Engraver._Published_in_A_History_of_England_(1855).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519268407029336818" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">King Edward meanwhile had a special chair made to house the stone and his son Edward II was the first of the English kings to be crowned over the stone so that when crowned as English King he was also crowned king of Scotland, as if the Scots accepted that. The stone remained in England until the mid 1950’s when a group of Nationalistic college students decided that that they wanted to bring back the stone to Scotland where it belonged. On a raid on Christmas Eve they stole into Westminster Cathedral and took the stone away across the borders back to Scotland. While in the process it was believed that the stone broke and was left with gypsies until the parts of the stone could be brought back to Scotland. The British government was in quite the tizzy for a good four months until the students had it repaired and was given over to the Church of Scotland who left it at the abbey of Arbroath draped in the Scottish Saltire.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now there are some who believe that that stone that Edward had taken back to England was not the actual stone but a fake stone, as the stone is much more similar to the red sandstone found around Scone. Some even believe that the stone was really just a lid from a cesspit in the abbey and passed off as the real Stone of Destiny. Now, this is one of those legends I can get behind. My Scottish and Irish side love the irony of knowing that all of the kings and queens of England from Edward II onward my actually have been sitting on a part of the loo during their coronation.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-vnBvDPXZk0?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-vnBvDPXZk0?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More on the Ian Hamilton and those who helped him liberate the Stone in the 1950’s in the next posting this week</span></span></p>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522363391639455008.post-8458322435348450922010-09-17T00:07:00.001-07:002010-09-17T17:34:34.025-07:00IT'S FICTION FRIDAY!!!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Welcome to Fiction Friday</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have been reading romance and historical fiction for over 45 years, yep I am that old. I am not sure what the draw is to reading Scottish historicals but I like to think that it is a bit of genetic memory on my part that I want to relive the past, if in fact I am the soul of my ancestress from Scotland. There are so many books that could appear in this first Friday of books so if you don't see your favs you might in the next couple of weeks or months. I have bookshelves of favorite Scottish romances but these are the ones I try to re-read each year. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">However, it goes without saying that if you are talking Scottish historical fiction then you have bow down to the grand dame--- <a href="http://www.dorothydunnett.co.uk/">Dorothy Dunnett</a> and her Lymond series. Also for many romance readers, though I don't believe her books are romances in the "traditional" sense there is <a href="http://66.147.244.179/~dianagab/">Diana Gabaldon</a>, whose saga of Jamie and Claire through the mists of time in Scotland are legend. Though I can't say I have enjoyed all of the books in the series, the first and second will continue to be my all time favorites set in the Jacobite period. Gabaldonn is the "queen of time travel romance fiction". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now I have a favorite English author whose style is to write two storylines in her book and interweave them: one a historical and one present. She often takes real personas from history and pits them against their present day counter parts. Plus in most of her books especially the Scottish ones </span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuc5Hb7HN-y7Z7H6OxEcWysZ4WwBffIrNto3vKhGkVH8vbN8L4iGKcWxgBoO6-sDc5jiyyUXfxmFZuw2CedCP119h1VRIGFzD3oY2e_sKVL_UufVyCnPIA8iZySoshrM4ptK8QXgsiG9_/s400/n15714.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517975989817458002" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">she always has an element or two of paranormal often Celtic in nature be it Scottish, Welsh, or Briton. The author I am talking about is <a href="http://www.barbara-erskine.co.uk/index.htm">Barbara Erskine </a>. She has had a number of Scottish or northern England set b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ooks that I am sure that Scottish romance readers will love. Two of the classic ones are THE KINGDOM OF SHADO</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">WS which includes the story of Isabel MacDuff (see last post) and THE CHILD OF THE PHOENIX which is the fictionalized account of one her own ancestors taken from family lore and history. This is one of her most sweeping books because the story unfolds in Wales, to England and then Scotland. Her heroine is the compost of two women who probably saw more of Scotland's history unfold as both a participant and an observer and all the loves along the way. This is one of those books you take on vacations so you can read it from cover to cover all 944 pages. She is probably most famous for her LADY OF HAY which is set on the English/Welsh border. She has a number of other books set in Scotland I suggest you check out her site. Here is video of her latest book called TIME'S LEGACY which is set in present day Glastonbury and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">cient Glastonbury during the time of Romans and Druids.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KsCayOJzXMI?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KsCayOJzXMI?fs=1&hl=en_US&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></div><br /><b>LADY OF THE GLEN by Jennifer Roberson </b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This book is one of those rare finds that has a cover that is as much a work of art as the story between the covers. If only all historicals and romance covers could be so beautiful.</span></b></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFz445hO4Ym9ypD0jPGhrQknWD6nkTSiTYTVglYJkhNeTNGbcOD3FH7cpqrC0mnkXeIucTE7f_APBhSOPaoC0PQRxEYp2IvlFhx6kCCN02LQSMh1CYR_tfEXr2RzmZMYHe4NkHROMDyHW/s400/xxx.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517963527211094130" /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> This is the story of the Glen Coe Massacre </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">to</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">l<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">d </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">through the love of the children of bitter enemies. Our heroine is Catriona Campbell who is smitten and then loves the second son of her clan's bitter enemies the MacDonalds of Glen Coe. If you know any Scottish history </span></b></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">you have probably heard about how the Campbells in charge of government troops were billeted with the MacDonalds at Glen Coe (1692) who showed them every bit of Highland Hospitality and yet the Campbell leader had directions f</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">r</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">om the King and his Scottish minions to kill every man woman and child of the MacDonalds. He and his troops fell upon the clan in the early hours of the a Highland winter morning with the intent to destroy the MacDonald Clan as a deterrent to other rebellious clans. Will the lover's survive? </span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">How a romance between these two young adults from such warring families unfolds in a period of great political turmoil makes this story one worth seeking out. Roberson grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. That it is written by a master storyteller is the key but don't expect a "traditional" romance here. This is historical fiction at its best, though the romance of the young couple is at the centerpiece of the story. Well worth the find though it will probably be used as it has been out of print for a while. </span></b><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE WINTER SEA by Susanna Kearsley</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you every read a book that made you cry because the love was so bittersweet but you could put it down despite the tears? That is that is the case of my next book THE WINTER SEA by Canadian author Susanna Kearsley ( this book is titled SOPHIE'S SECRET in some editions). From the author's page....</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwiUuzw8MHd_xWYDC4VOTstU4_ROK6q4CvnXX4RAu5e4qTHRa8cBPQRw6AMFC7nmbu1TyPlJy5_VOih_90O-Lf_8NnhClOA4k37S7E0b4PwaRUZn13R8Qzb-QFOXZTxdrpUwTRGa0kJij/s400/wp221a68cb_1b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517957613523047218" /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“History has all but forgotten the spring of 1708, when an invasion fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors, and starts to write.</span></span></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory...making her the only living person who can know the truth of what did happen all those years ago - a tale of love and loyalty...and ultimate betrayal.”</span></span></p><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This is a must read but have the tissues ready you will need them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>ISLAND OF THE SWANS by Ciji Ware</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love stories with women from history and Ciji Ware's THE ISLAND OF THE SWANS is just one of those books. This is the fictionalized story of Jane Maxwell who when her childhood friend and lover,Thomas Fraser dies while fighting in the frontier of America, she marries the Duke of Gordon. Later as she settles into the life with her husband she finds out that Thomas didn't die but had been wounded and was living in the colonies and has recently returned home to Scotland . Now stuck with a man who she suspects might have had something to do with their quick marriage Jane is resigned to her life with him. They are the couple of the Gay Gordon fame in music. Gay not meaning happy for this couple.</span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC689b71dh6dQeh8cpOkOsvkPnn56uu4BCbYZEHORz-3mIaRwXfHoeOcKFy2-D0BHv6cjgB8Ynia9EyQIV38qakuWq8oBdnuiGalwip_UdVUZo3qVi0zG4Egh_5LyHS07BdA4RUpywo7nW/s400/n183682.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517950162609246146" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And what a life, </span>unlike her husband who would prefer to stay upon his Aberdeenshire estate, Jane, Duchess of Gordon charges to London to become one the grand dames of the London Society pitted against the likes of the Duchess of Devonshire. It is in her home where the likes of Burns and other Scottish notables are introduced to London <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Society as well Society is introduced to Scottish literature and music. She had a large family, mostly girls and all but one of her girls married a Duke She was often the butt of many a political cartoon about her fierce determination to see her </span>girls marry well placed and her humble beginnings in the streets of Edinburgh riding a pig. But her life wasn't always so great. but she compensated and to tell more would spoil it for you. Get the book!!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8W2-i0k2dxWITLhdRMrx22WBUZaVB2P8Glk3hUdnbAMkhoJaAZZC3pWHlhtEzNOdwVwK4cOYHQYGv0E5rrK_sZvm8GYEPyyhd60OUestpKPqpBxVR0yD6lgD_kmmTpzeqJR9mjlZcz2J/s400/n189088.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517783699198671570" /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Starry Child by Lynn Hanna</span></b></p><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Eight-year-old SASHA NIELSON hasn’t spoken since her father was killed. As she withdraws i</span></span>nto a secret world of her own, her mother, RAINEY, places her in special schools and counseling, only making Sasha more distant. After a chance meeting with her neighbor, EMMA, a native of Scotland, who sees a video of <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Sasha before her dad died, she’s astonished to discover Sasha was speaking fluent Old Gaelic and claimed to be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">an exiled queen. Rainey hires MATT MACINNES, a professor of ancient Celtic languages to help. Matt becomes the only one Sasha communicates with and discovers her secret. That secret will take Sasha, Rainey, Emma and </span><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Matt on a journey to the Highlands of Scotland to discover the key to Sasha and Rainey's future and if Matt is in it. For those of you </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">who love the paranormal or that element of Gaelic magic you will find it tenfold in this story. Lynn Hanna is an untapped author who has disappointedly disappeared from the publishing world. She has a follow- up story that is good but not quite the caliber of this unique story. Five stars for an original plot. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The BELOVED saga by Mallory Burgess tells of the family of Michel Faurer and Madeleine de Courtnay during Scotland’s war of independence.</b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>B</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>EL</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>OVE</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>D KNIGHT</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">, the first in the trilogy, sets the stage for future books; set in a backdrop complete with Templar Knight betrayals and the struggles of Robert Bruce's fight for Scotland's freedom.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>BELOVED HONOR</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> next in the saga offers the story of son, Rene and his struggle to capture the feisty Cat Douglass, while struggling with a legacy his father left him and a way for Rene and Cat to secure their love and Scotland's future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"><b>BELOVED LORD</b></span><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"> is the final book of the original trilogy and the best one.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">This is the story of Anne Faurer, the daughter who has her mother's beauty and her father's determination to fight for Scotland's ca</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">use. However, she loses her heart to the English Lord who now occupies her parent's home and their lives are interwoven in her race to save a brother and possibly lose the only man she could ever call her Beloved Lord with a ending the keeps your reading to the last page.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b>BELOVED HEARTS</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> is a cherished ps. to the BELOVED saga. This book jumps 400 years later to the conflict of the final Jacobite rebellion and how it affects those members of the house that Faurer love built.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><br /></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp8UpD2RuiG-8Z3Nz004oF0x6VNakU7K4Mm8IEYj6R1HeVMXtr08cFsmRdscmFv_G0BzpM54vvMXGYC8UIsLeWDF6ulRwzbbXDawMMrMzCKlwIh37tbQnqnMms7RJvei8G6c5V4kf-ywp/s400/n98561.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517778176682999378" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b>Ca</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>n you tell I really love fictionalized stories of real heroines. Master storyteller Marsha Canham doesn't disappoint in the fictionalized story of the Jacobite Anne, Lady Moy in</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> MIDNIGHT HONOR..</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><div style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Powerful, brave, irresistibly seductive, Angus Moy, chief of Clan Chattan, was everything Lady Anne could desire in a husband and a lover. But that was before the winds of war tore through her homeland. While Angus was pledged to fight for the English, Anne embarked on a course no ordinary woman would dare. Fiercely loyal to the Jacobite cause, she led her clan in battle-with the dangerously attractive Captain John MacGillivray at her side</span></i></span><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.” Source: fantasticfiction.co.uk</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">These are just some of my all time favorites and I hope that you will post some of yours in the comment section. This will be an ongoing Friday feature so if you have a book published set in Scotland help me promote it here by contacting me a jawisrwa@gmail.com.</p></div></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983608069357021786noreply@blogger.com5